Action plan to address staff desensitisation and secondary trauma
Contractors operating immigration removal centres must develop and implement an action plan to ensure a safe and healthy staff culture in immigration removal centres. The action plan must address: the identification of and response to any sign of desensitisation among staff; training staff on coping mechanisms and secondary trauma awareness; and maintaining an appropriate balance between care and safety or security. The Home Office must regularly monitor each contractor's compliance with their action plans.
- No independently published staff culture action plan, implementation progress report, or outcome assessment has been identified to March 2026.
How was this evidence gathered?
Response
Accepted in Part
Response
Accepted in PartThe government described the introduction of a code of conduct and a mandatory staff engagement strategy. The ITC review addresses staff wellbeing and secondary trauma awareness.
Progress Timeline
Angela Eagle, Written PQ 23170 (15 January 2025): 'Due for closure by end of January 2025.'
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.
Body-worn camera usage improved. Staff visibility and de-escalation noted as effective.
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."