Member - Volunteers needed on Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) at Heathrow Immigration Removal Centre (IRC)
- Body
- Independent Monitoring Board (IMB)
- Appointing Department
- Ministry of Justice
- Sectors
- Judicial, Prison & Policing, Prison & Policing, Regulation
- Location
- Heathrow IRC, Colnbrook Bypass, Harmondsworth, West Drayton, Middlesex UB7 0FX
- Skills required
- Regulation
- Number of Vacancies
- up to 4 vacancies
- Remuneration
- Unremunerated, though reasonable expenses will be re-imbursed
- Time Requirements
- Approx. 2 to 3 visits per month although this may be slightly higher during the first year of training and this can be flexible depending on the needs of the Board and the individual. Members will also be expected to attend a monthly Board Meeting, held on the 3rd Thursday of every month from 17.30 – 19.00. In addition, an hour long monthly remote (Zoom) learning session is held on the 2nd Thursday.
- Closing Date
- 07/11/2021 0000
- Interviews
- TBC – expected November 2021 (We regret that we cannot reimburse expenses incurred in attending familiarisation visits or interviews). Please note that some of our recruitment practices may be adapted in light of restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic, tours may not be available, and interviews may take place via ZOOM. As part of the recruitment process you will be informed about any local arrangements in place to adapt recruitment processes in light of COVID-19.
Vacancy Description
We are currently looking for new volunteers to join Heathrow IMB helping to ensure that proper standards of care and decency are maintained for those detained at the Centre.
Person Specification
Applicants do not need any special qualifications or experience as we will provide all necessary training and support. Candidates need to be over 18 years of age and live within approximately 25 miles of the centre. Candidates need to be enthusiastic, open-minded, possess effective communication skills and have the ability to exercise sound, objective judgement. Successful applicants will be required to undertake counter terrorism clearance (CTC) and a Disclosure and Barring check (DBS).
Additional Information
Heathrow IRC is based on A4 Colnbrook Bypass, West Drayton, UB7 0FX, close to Heathrow Airport. Members will be allocated to one of the two IRC buildings, Harmondsworth or Colnbrook, which typically house up to 726 men in Harmondsworth and 312 men and 18 women in Colnbrook. Inside every detention centre there is an IMB – a group of ordinary members of the public doing an extraordinary job. IMB members are independent, unpaid, and work an average of 2-3 visits per month, depending on the needs of the Board and the individual. Your background can be as a student, a person of working age or retired. We welcome applications from people over 18 and are particularly keen to hear from those of working age and from black and minority ethnic communities, since these groups are under-represented on the existing Board. The role of an IMB member is to monitor and report on the welfare of the persons detained at the centre and on the fairness of their treatment by visiting the centre, observing what is happening and speaking to staff and detainees. Please click on www.imb.org.uk to find out how being an IMB member can benefit you. Visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YuQ4WxirPlg and view the short film ‘Joining the Independent Monitoring Board’ and hear current IMB members talking about their role.
How to Apply
Applicants can find further information and apply online via the IMB website https://www.imb.org.uk/join-now/current-vacancies/ In exceptional circumstances a paper copy of the application may be possible applicants should contact imb@justice.gov.uk in the first instance.
1170/Heathrow IRC/2021 (to be quoted in all correspondence and on application form)