** Detention Engagement Officer - Campsfield
| Company: | Government Recruitment Service |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £34,415 to £34,931 a year |
| Hours: | Full-time |
| Location: | Oxford |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Posting date: | 29 Sept 2026 |
| Closing date: | 19 Oct 2026 |
Summary
The Home Office works to build a safe, fair and prosperous UK. We achieve this through our work on counter-terrorism, policing, crime, drugs policy, immigration and passports.
Immigration Enforcement is responsible for enforcing the government’s immigration laws, tackling illegal migration, removing foreign national offenders and immigration offenders from the UK. We also aim to disrupt the organised criminal groups that exploit the vulnerable for their personal gain. Learn more on our careers pages.
Immigration Removal Services Command (IRSC) plays a key role in supporting the Home Office's immigration system by managing immigration detention and facilitating lawful returns. As part of the Detention Engagement Team at Campsfield Immigration Removal Centre, you will work directly with detained individuals, providing information about their case progression, supporting their welfare and contributing to a safe, secure and professional environment while helping to maintain effective immigration controls.
This is a rewarding and varied role where no two days are the same. You will engage with people from diverse backgrounds, make a meaningful difference during a challenging period in their lives and develop valuable communication, decision-making and problem-solving skills within a supportive team environment.
As a Detention Engagement Officer, you will work directly with detained residents, helping them understand their immigration case, the processes affecting them and the steps required to progress their case towards conclusion. You will build professional and constructive relationships with residents, providing clear, accurate and timely information whilst ensuring their welfare needs are identified and appropriately addressed.
Working closely with caseworking teams, on-site healthcare providers, detention services staff and other partners, you will help ensure effective communication and coordination of support. You will monitor welfare concerns, raise issues when necessary and contribute to maintaining a safe, respectful and professional environment within a secure setting.
The role requires you to communicate confidently and sensitively with individuals who may be experiencing uncertainty, frustration or distress. You will use sound judgement to assess situations, respond appropriately to challenging circumstances and ensure that information is recorded accurately and handled professionally. The environment can be demanding and fast-paced, requiring resilience, adaptability and the ability to manage competing priorities while maintaining high standards of service and professionalism.
You must be available to attend the centre for all scheduled shifts.
Key Responsibilities
You will be responsible for (but not limited to):
- Conduct face-to-face engagement with residents: Manage interactions with a portfolio of residents, delivering inductions, serving official paperwork and providing clear explanations to help them understand the next steps in their case, which include returning to their country of origin and the consequences of non-compliance.
- Support vulnerable people: Work collaboratively with all stakeholders to support and signpost vulnerable people.
- Be the onsite link: Work collaboratively with caseworking teams, healthcare providers and the IRC supplier to resolve issues relating to case progression quickly and professionally.
- Undertake information gathering and record keeping: You will need to take an unbiased and methodical approach to information gathering. Daily interactions and case updates should be logged promptly and accurately, providing a clear audit trail on Home Office IT systems to support case progression and the smooth running of the team.
- Work safely and professionally: Act professionally and with integrity, following security, safeguarding and confidentiality requirements at all times.
- General administrative duties: This includes inbox management and answering phone calls.
Working Pattern
This role is available on a full-time basis. This role is also suitable for part-time working hours, with a minimum requirement to work three full shifts (22.2 hours) per week due to business requirements. Please note that full shifts will be required even if a part-time contract is sought.
You will need to be able to attend all scheduled shifts, including early starts and late finishes. On weekdays, early shifts are 08:00 to 15:24 and late shifts are 13:36 to 21:00. On weekends and public holidays (excluding Christmas Day and New Year's Day), early shifts are 09:00 to 16:24 and late shifts are 09:36 to 17:00.
Training
You will receive full training and support to do the job. Training takes place initially in the classroom and then continues on the job with a mentor 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. Further information on what the training involves can be found on our website.
Travel
This is a fully site-based role. You will be required to undertake all duties within Campsfield Immigration Removal Centre and attend the centre for all scheduled shifts.
Information Session
To learn more about this role and how to apply, register for one of our free, optional live events by clicking the date and time that suits you below.
We encourage you to attend a live event before submitting your application, as this will provide valuable insight into the role and the recruitment process.
During the event, you will hear from current staff about what the job involves, the opportunities and career prospects available, and why the role is so important. We will also explain the recruitment and security vetting processes, and you will have the opportunity to ask questions directly to our friendly and experienced team members.
Monday 05 October 2026, 13.00-14.00
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/detention-engagement-team-roles-explained-live-qa-with-recruiters-tickets-2002225737078?aff=oddtdtcreator
Saturday 10 October 2026, 10:00-11:00
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/detention-engagement-team-roles-explained-live-qa-with-recruiters-tickets-2002226079101?aff=oddtdtcreator
Tuesday 13 October 2026, 16:00-17:00
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/detention-engagement-team-roles-explained-live-qa-with-recruiters-tickets-2002226376992?aff=oddtdtcreator
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme
