We are looking for people to join the Illegal Migration Intake Unit who are…

The Intake Response Team is a mobile unit which can be deployed to any Illegal Migration Intake Unit location or Home Office approved site at short notice, sometimes for extended periods.

The Intake Response Team provides a surge and response capability across the Illegal Migration Intake Unit. This means that you may be required to work across a number of locations, which may result in overnight stays for several nights to provide a continued response, particularly during seasonal surges. This is an exciting and evolving role with the potential for new workstreams in line with the Illegal Migration Act 2023. Post-holders will be expected to conduct a wide range of roles and customer facing Immigration functions within the remit of the Intake Response Team or any other duties that may be required. Such duties will include but are not limited to;

• Examining those who enter the UK illegally; including those who have arrived by clandestine means and are subject to the Illegal Migration Act 2023 at various sites across the UK
• Capturing biometric data of those who have entered the UK illegally
• Conducting interviews for those who have entered the UK illegally
• Serving relevant immigration decisions
• Other tasks relevant to grade.

Full training will be provided prior to the implementation of any new duties. 

The Intake Response Team have a strong team working ethic and if appointed you will be working alongside, and deployed with, the other team-members based in your area. Teams are comprised of up to 8 Immigration Officers and a Chief Immigration Officer who will lead day to day operations. Travel expenses would be paid in line with policy.

As part of this role, you will be required to wear a uniform (which will be provided) during every shift. You must ensure that your uniform is worn correctly, in line with uniform standards, is kept clean and is well presented. To support this requirement, adequate uniform supplies will be available and issued. Uniformed staff represent their organisation at all times and should ensure that their dress and personal appearance reflects this responsibility.

Is the role of an Intake Response Team Immigration Officer the right one for you?

There are key personal attributes that we are looking for in our Immigration Officers. If you answer yes to the below questions, then this role could be perfect for you:

• Are you a natural team player? You will need to work well as part of a team and strive to ensure the team pulls together and is effective.
• Are you adaptable? You will need to adapt to variations in work or environment and be flexible in your approach across different workstreams.
• Can you process information and work at pace? Do you enjoy a fast-paced environment whilst maintaining high-quality work?
• Are you a strong communicator? You will regularly come in to contact with a range of people. You will need to communicate clearly, adapting your style to the audience, treating others with respect, compassion and valuing inclusion and diversity.
• Can you remain empathetic and professional whilst dealing with potentially traumatised individuals on a daily basis?
• Are you a confident decision-maker? You will need to gather and review a variety of evidence alongside policy and guidance to ensure you might the right decision, every time.
• Are you IT literate and able to multi-task? You will be undertaking a range of time sensitive tasks daily. You will need to prioritise and importantly accurately record all tasks, actions and decisions on Home Office systems.

Webinars

We are offering 1-hour online sessions that provide you with the chance to speak to members of the recruitment team and a representative from the Home Office to learn more about the role. These sessions will include discussions on:

• Why you should join the Illegal Migration Intake Unit and what are some of the best aspects of the job?
• How will the application process work?

Register now for one of our role information group chat sessions. We look forward to speaking with you.

What are we looking for in an Intake Response Team (IO):

Immigration Officers working within the Intake Response Team must be able to demonstrate;

• Sound interpersonal and relationship building skills with a range of audiences, including colleagues of all grades, and partners in other agencies
• Flexibility and willingness to take on new and varied areas of work as required according to business need
• Can work at pace and respond flexibly to emerging priorities or urgent tasks
• Ability to communicate clearly with enthusiasm, treating others with respect, compassion and valuing inclusion and diversity
• Ability to make effective and difficult decisions under pressure
• A good level of computer literacy, including Microsoft applications.

Training and Development

You will receive full training and support to do the job. Training takes place initially in the ‘classroom’ (a mixture of in-person and remotely) and then continues ‘on the job’ with a mentoring team who supports you until you are fully confident in the role. Even then you are never alone: you work as part of a team where there is always someone around for advice and support.

Training for frontline Immigration Officers within the Intake Response Team will include teaching skills in personal safety techniques to keep you and your team colleagues safe. This Personal Safety Training (PST) requires physical activity and physical contact with the other delegates. This training is refreshed annually. Completing this training is a mandatory requirement for the role. By submitting an application for this role you are confirming that you understand this requirement.

Initial training lasts three weeks. If you are required to attend in-person, and do not live within a reasonable commutable distance to one of our training locations, there may be a requirement for some overnight stays. Travel and accommodation costs will be paid by the Home Office in line with policy.

Training takes place Monday to Friday and does not require shift working.

Working Arrangements

Early Shift: Start 07:00 End 19:00

Day Shift: Start 11:00 End: 23:00

Late Shift: Start 12:00 End 00:00

Night Shift: Start 22:00 End: 10:00

These timings are indications of the Intake Response Team’s current shift start and end times. These could be amended in future to meet business needs.

Annualised Hours Working (AHW)

The Illegal Migration Intake Unit operate a shift working pattern, where Annualised Hours Working (AHW) is paid in accordance with the operational needs of the business. This allowance is paid in addition to the monthly salary to compensate for out of office hours working and flexibility. 

A review of AHW takes place annually and the shift working pattern includes 24-hour rota coverage, meaning some night work will be expected. The Intake Response Team is a 365 day operation and utilises the full range of shifts including earlies, lates, nights, and also includes weekend and public holiday working. Shift lengths can vary and be up to 12 hours. Rosters are published in advance but shifts can change or extend according to business need. The AHW package will reflect the flexibility if deployment is required.

The average allowance for the Intake Response Team is currently 48.91% (and can change subject to an annual review). Post-holders would be deployed to a range of different duties, shifts and locations.

Due to the operational nature of these roles, these are full-time positions with limited options to work part-time or flexibly. Shift start and end times are fixed and you will be expected to be rostered with your team and managers, meaning it’s not possible to swap shifts unless there are exceptional circumstances, and these would still have to be considered in line with business needs. All post-holders are expected to work the full range of shifts, including nights, across all 7 days of the week. It is therefore unlikely that fixed days off could be agreed. Despite the limited options for flexibility, should such a working pattern be agreed then you should be aware that this would affect the rate of Annualised Hours Working allowance paid.

The Illegal Migration Intake Unit is growing in size and remit. This is a new team within the Illegal Migration Intake Unit created as a result of the implementation of the Illegal Migration Act 2023. The team will operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to provide support with the time sensitive processing of detained illegal migrants who have arrived by clandestine means, including small boats. The team’s responsibilities will include, but will not be limited to;

• Creating new cases and inputting information on HO systems for those who have entered the UK illegally
• Completing security checks using HO systems on those who have entered the UK illegally
• Gathering and scrutinizing evidence gathered to make decisions on those who have entered the UK illegally
• Producing relevant immigration paperwork
• During periods of high intake, the team will also be required to conduct remote interviews for those who have entered the UK illegally
• Other tasks relevant to grade.

The work of the team will be directed by the IMIU Co-ordination Hub who are responsible for across Illegal Migration Intake Unit operational planning, tasking, and coordination, including deployment planning and logistical support.

It is anticipated the team will be comprised of 125 EOs, supported by HEOs, SEOs and a G7.

These are in-person roles meaning post-holders need to be available to attend the office for every shift. There may be some opportunities to work from home but this will be subject to business needs and the managers discretion to ensure the team delivers the highest level of service.

There is no requirement to wear a uniform for these roles.

Is the role of an IMIU Remote Operations Hub Executive Officer the right one for you?

There are key personal attributes that we are looking for in our Executive Officers. If you answer yes to the below questions, then this role could be perfect for you:

• Are you a natural team player? You will need to work well as part of a team and strive to ensure the team pulls together and is effective.
• Are you adaptable? You will need to adapt to variations in work or environment and be flexible in your approach across different workstreams.
• Can you process information and work at pace? Do you enjoy a fast-paced environment whilst maintaining high-quality work?
• Are you a strong communicator? You will regularly come in to contact with a range of people. You will need to communicate clearly, adapting your style to the audience, treating others with respect, compassion and valuing inclusion and diversity.
• Can you remain empathetic and professional whilst dealing with potentially traumatised individuals on a daily basis?
• Are you a confident decision-maker? You will need to gather and review a variety of evidence alongside policy and guidance to ensure you might the right decision, every time.
• Are you IT literate and able to multi-task? You will be undertaking a range of time sensitive tasks daily. You will need to prioritise and importantly accurately record all tasks, actions and decisions on Home Office systems.

Webinars

We are offering 1-hour online sessions that provide you with the chance to speak to members of the recruitment team and a representative from the Home Office to learn more about the role. These sessions will include discussions on:

• Why join the Illegal Migration Intake Unit and what are some of the best aspects of the job roles?
• How will the application process work?

Register now for one of our role information group chat sessions. We look forward to speaking with you.

What are we looking for in an IMIU Remote Operations Hub (EO):

Executive Officers working within the IMIU Remote Operations Hub must be able to demonstrate;

• Sound interpersonal, communication (both written and verbal) skills, communicating clearly with enthusiasm.
• Relationship building skills with a range of audiences; treating others with respect, compassion and valuing inclusion and diversity.
• Ability to make effective and difficult decisions, often under pressure, applying legislation and policy guidance correctly to ensure compliance.
• Be adaptable, demonstrating flexibility in dynamic situations within fast-paced environments
• A good level of computer literacy, including Microsoft applications.

Training and Development:

You will receive full training and support to do the job. Training takes place initially in the ‘classroom’ (a mixture of in-person and remotely) and then continues ‘on the job’ with a mentoring team who supports you until you are fully confident in the role. Even then you are never alone: you work as part of a team where there is always someone around for advice and support.

Initial training lasts three weeks. If you are required to attend in-person, and do not live within a reasonable commutable distance to one of our training locations, there may be a requirement for some overnight stays. Travel and accommodation costs will be paid by the Home Office in line with policy.

Training takes place Monday to Friday and does not require shift working.

Working Arrangements

Early Shift: Start 07:00 End 17:30

Late Shift: Start 13:30 End 00:00

Night Shift: Start 22:00 End: 08:30

The above timings are indications of the IMIU Remote Operations Team’s anticipated shift start and end times. These could be amended in future to meet business needs.

Annualised Hours Working (AHW)

The Illegal Migration Intake Unit operate a shift working pattern, where Annualised Hours Working (AHW) is paid in accordance with the operational needs of the business. This allowance is paid in addition to the monthly salary to compensate for out of office hours working and flexibility. 

A review of AHW takes place annually and the shift working pattern includes 24-hour rota coverage, meaning some night work will be expected. The IMIU Remote Operations Hub is a 365 day operation and utilises the full range of shifts including earlies, lates, nights, and also includes weekend and public holiday working. Shift lengths can vary and be up to 12 hours. Rosters are published in advance but shifts can change or extend according to business need.

The average allowance for the IMIU Remote Operations Hub is currently 44.71% (and can change subject to an annual review). Post-holders would be deployed to a range of different duties and shifts.

Due to the operational nature of these roles, these are full-time positions with limited options to work part-time or flexibly. Shift start and end times are fixed and you will be expected to be rostered with your team and managers, meaning it’s not possible to swap shifts unless there are exceptional circumstances, and these would still have to be considered in line with business needs. All post-holders are expected to work the full range of shifts, including nights, across all 7 days of the week. It is therefore unlikely that fixed days off could be agreed. Despite the limited options for flexibility, should such a working pattern be agreed then you should be aware that this would affect the rate of Annualised Hours Working allowance paid.

How to get to the IMIU Remote Operations Hub

The IMIU Remote Operations Hub is located at Bloom Heathrow, 6 New Square, Bedfont Lakes, Feltham, TW14 8HA.

The Home Office building in Bedfont Lakes is in New Square, a business park which is now known as Bloom Heathrow London. Bloom is near Bedfont Lakes Country Park and benefits from the following;

• The Trim trail - a 1km trail around the area
• A workout hub
• Padel tennis courts
• Table tennis
• Occasional events e.g: BBQs etc
• An App for your phone to tell you about events, special offers and a bus tracker so you can track the shuttle bus service.

These facilities are not owned or run by the Home office. Facilities are subject to availability and subject to charge by the user. Facilities may be withdrawn or amended by the owners of Bloom Heathrow.

TRANSPORT to Bloom Heathrow

The nearest Underground Station to Bloom is Hatton cross (Piccadilly line) – approx. 1.9 miles away

The nearest National Rail train station is Feltham – approx.2 miles away

• Free shuttle buses to and from Hatton Cross Tube Station (Piccadilly Line) and Feltham Rail Station are available during regular office hours. These run 07:20hrs- 19:30hrs on weekdays: buses to Feltham every 15 minutes and Hatton Cross every 30 mins. Timings are subject to change.
• Additional buses (not free) include: the H26 - goes to Hatton Cross and Feltham – runs from 04:30hrs to midnight, every day of the week.
• There are no private or NCP car parks in the vicinity which means staff are encouraged to take public transport to work. Disabled parking is, however, provided for blue badge holders subject to the number of disabled parking spaces available.

Facilities and food outlets near New Square

• There is a café in New Square. It is open Mon-Fri from 08:00-16:30hrs. Opening times are reviewed dependant on footfall and are subject to change.
• Just outside New Square (approx. 5 minute walk) is a 24/7 supermarket which includes other chain food outlets.