Policy paper

The Home Office response to the Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration’s report: A re-inspection of initial processing of migrants arriving via small boats, including at Western Jet Foil and Manston

Published 15 June 2023

This was published under the 2022 to 2024 Sunak Conservative government

January - February 2023

Introduction

The Home Office thanks the Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration (ICIBI) for this re-inspection of the initial processing of migrants arriving via small boats, including at Western Jet Foil and Manston.

This re-inspection examined the Home Office’s progress on recommendations made in the ICIBI’s report, ‘An inspection of the initial processing of migrants arriving via small boats at Tug Haven and Western Jet Foil (December 2021 – January 2022).

The Home Office is pleased that the ICIBI has highlighted significant positive findings since the last inspection. In particular the report recognised that important structures had been put in place which provided clear accountability and strong visible leadership. The senior officials in these roles were found to have the key skills and experience needed to manage operations in such an important area. The report also acknowledged the real improvements made across a range of areas including infrastructure and capacity at Manston, welfare support, initial health screening and communications with migrants.

Since the last inspection the Clandestine Channel Threat Command, and from December 2022 the Small Boats Operational Command (SBOC), moved to Border Force and now sits under the Director General of Border Force. This has enhanced the Department’s response in dealing with irregular migration via the small boat route and will build resilience in meeting future requirements.

As part of the Border Force Director General’s responsibilities for Manston, the Manston Transformation Programme has been established to develop the site service provision and the operating model enabling a strategic approach to the future of Manston. An End-to-End Manston Readiness Board has also been established, bringing together senior leaders from across the relevant parts of the Home Office ensuring resilience across all parts of the operation.

The ICIBI identified several areas for improvement and has made a total of three recommendations. The Home Office has fully accepted two recommendations and partially accepted one.

Recommendation 1 - strategy

Publish a strategy for the Small Boats Operational Command / the processing of small boat arrivals, covering Western Jet Foil and Manston, in consultation with stakeholders, which incorporates:

• the ongoing work to develop a 2024+ vision

• clear exposition of the command and control of the operation including clarity on responsibility, accountability, and authority (RA2)

• the Manston Recovery Plan

• the risks and mitigations to operations associated with high inflow (numbers of arrivals) and low outflow (insufficient asylum accommodation)

• the resources required to deliver an effective operation, including staffing levels for contractors and for Home Office staff

• clear milestones and deliverables

• a robust process for review of the strategy

Partially accepted

Border Force is currently reviewing the strategy for the Small Boats Operational Command (SBOC), following its move to Border Force in December 2022. We will develop our overall strategy and transformation plans to incorporate all the elements recommended by the ICIBI, although these will be an internal working documents to ensure operational integrity.

Home Office Expected Implementation Date: November 2023

Recommendation 2 - Data

Develop a data strategy for the small boats operation which:

• defines the data needs, including coverage of areas such as vulnerability, safeguarding, security, detention, and asylum screening onsite

• assures the quality of data in line with government guidelines

• incorporates developments to IT systems to provide data that is accurate, consistent and reliable

• is supported by guidance for staff on recording, reporting and sharing data internally and with the appropriate agencies

Accepted

The Home Office continues to enhance its strategic approach to managing data and supporting the effective delivery of the Small Boats Operational Command. SBOC has recently appointed a dedicated senior data director and data lead to oversee the improvement of data and to put in place systems and automated processes that will address previous findings regarding duplicate or inaccurate entries.

This will be enhanced by the development of a dedicated SBOC Data Cell to provide assurance oversight and increase data quality. The Home Office continues to build the structures and processes necessary to appropriately record, report and share data required to effectively manage the operational activity within SBOC. Guidance and training are available for staff who handle data in the course of their operational duties.

Home Office Expected Implementation Date: Ongoing and subject to monthly review

Recommendation 3 - Training

Conduct a training needs analysis for SBOC operations to produce a comprehensive training and development plan. This should cover all existing and new staff and contractors, and incorporate:

• vulnerability and safeguarding

• security and intelligence

Accepted

A comprehensive training needs analysis was conducted in October 2022 leading to the creation of the SBOC Foundation Course programme. This is a three-week course, with core content in relation to the areas highlighted in this recommendation and has been rolled out to new frontline SBOC staff, before operational deployment, and existing staff who require it. The extant training needs analysis will be regularly reviewed to ensure future learning needs are identified as they arise.  This will include any new and changed roles as SBOC expands and is integrated into the wider Border Force learning and development system.

In parallel, a learning needs analysis in respect of points a and b is also being conducted for all contracted staff with a view to aligning training standards for contractors in direct contact with arrivals with those of HO operational staff.  This will include medical staff, Detention Custody Officers and security staff.

The focus of this is all current and future relevant SBOC operational roles, or supervisory/managerial roles, involved in delivering operations. All of these roles will be included in a comprehensive Training and Development plan. Wider SBOC recruitment for roles such as corporate functions will not be in scope.

Home Office Expected Implementation Date: 31 October 2023