Staff-detainee relationships

The following indicators describe evidence that may show this expectation being met. They do not exclude other ways of achieving it.

• Staff and detainees are fair and courteous to each other.
• Staff have training in and show proper regard for the uncertainty of detainees’ situations, particularly immigration issues, cultural backgrounds and the vulnerabilities of a population that may have experienced victimisation before detention.
• Staff understand the impact of life experiences – such as family separation, trauma, abuse and mental illness – on detainees’ behaviour.
• Staff engage proactively with detainees and seek to know them as individuals.
• Staff routinely knock and wait for a response before entering rooms, except in emergencies.
• Staff support and encourage detainees to engage positively with activities that can help to reduce the stress of detention.
• There is an organised and structured peer support scheme that allows detainees to help and support each other.

The following indicators describe evidence that may show this expectation being met. They do not exclude other ways of achieving it.

• Staff strive to develop supportive relationships with individual detainees, understand their personal circumstances and encourage family ties.
• All detainees have a designated officer to whom they can turn as an initial point of contact for support or to resolve problems in the centre.
• There is a regular chronological record of contact with detainees, which identifies any significant events.
• Regular group meetings are held, with the help of interpreters where necessary, to enhance communication between staff and detainees.
• Staff are aware of external service providers and use them to help detainees.
• Staff use care plans for detainees who need them to coordinate care and to help manage specific risks or needs.