Mandatory comprehensive Rule 34 and Rule 35 training
The Home Office (in collaboration with NHS England as required) must ensure that comprehensive training on Rule 34 and Rule 35 of the Detention Centre Rules 2001 is rolled out urgently across the immigration detention estate. Staff must be subject to refresher training, at least annually. Attendance must be mandatory for all staff working in immigration removal centres and those responsible for managing them, as well as GPs and relevant Home Office staff. Consideration must be given as to whether such training should be subject to an assessment.
- In January 2025, the Home Office updated DSO 08/2016 (Management of Adults at Risk) including mandatory Vulnerable Adult Care Plans and caseworker responsibilities for Level 2 and 3 cases (Detention Services Order 08/2016, Home Office, January 2025).
- In July 2025, the Home Office published an interim DSO on Rule 35, adding guidance on suicidal intent and Home Office oversight of Rule 35 reports, pending completion of the full Adults at Risk and Rule 34–35 review (Detention Services Order 09/2016 interim version, Home Office, July 2025).
- The July 2025 interim DSO noted the Adults at Risk and Rule 34–35 review was expected to conclude by end of June 2025; no published final DSO had been identified at the time of this assessment.
How was this evidence gathered?
Response
Accepted in Part
Response
Accepted in PartThe Home Office is reviewing the Adults at Risk policy and Detention Centre Rules 34 and 35. NHS England is developing interim clinical guidance to support GPs on Rule 35 assessments, with full training to follow once the review concludes.
Progress Timeline
Angela Eagle, Written PQ 23170 (15 January 2025): 'On track for closure by summer 2025.'
HMIP unannounced inspection of Brook House (August 2024, published 18 November 2024): safety rated 'not sufficiently good'; assaults on staff rose from 14 to 80; 35% of detainees reported suicidal feelings. Follow-up review (July 2025, published 1 September 2025) found some improvement in staffing, stabilised violence, and better drug control.
Published Evidence
Published assessments of progress from inspectorates, select committees, official progress reports, and other sources. Source type badge indicates whether each assessment is independent or government self-reported.
Rule 35 appointments taking up to 3 weeks - far too long. Routine failure to submit reports for suicidal detainees. Home Office identification of vulnerabilities inadequate.
View detailed findings
Based on Independent Review of Progress visit in August 2025, following up 13 concerns from August 2024 inspection. Brook House run by Serco held 192 detainees at time of visit.
Inquiry Chair Kate Eves described government response as "inadequate" and called for a "reset" with the new government. Warned abuse "becomes a question of when, not if" it happens again.
View detailed findings
In September 2024, Kate Eves told Channel 4 News she was "disappointed with what I see as an inadequate response by the former government to an important report." She noted the inquiry cost about £20 million over four years. Home Office lawyers had argued her "recommendations are not binding."