Immigration Enforcement Improving staff well-being in Criminal Casework Presented by: Cheryl Cates Deputy Director Head of Operational Services Date: 4 March 2015

Criminal Casework Introduction 2 Who are we? What do we do? CC’s objective is to protect the public. 2013/14 - removed 5,097 foreign criminals from the UK - and 22,000 since In May 2006 Charles Clarke was removed as Home Secretary following criticism of the Home Office’s handling of Foreign National Prisoners Criminal Casework (CC) is an 800 strong group led by Andrew Jackson, within Immigration Enforcement.

Criminal Casework Prison and Removals Team 3

Charlotte in here 4 Criminal Casework Prison and Removals Team

High level of sickness absence within embedded prison teams, high levels of grievances Issues around peer support and relationships, demand and role, generally good manager support 5 Criminal Casework Prison and Removals Team

Criminal Casework Equality and Diversity Action Group 6 Disability Champion working with HODS Raising awareness of mental health issues 3 events, Liverpool Leeds Croydon Professionals, personal accounts, Staff support networks Time to change Break the stigma

Break the Stigma A staff support group for people affected by anxiety and depression Founders: Lisa Towers and Liz Versi

How Break the Stigma works Sharing information, sources of support and helping each other: Regular lunchtime sessions where we invite speakers and open up potential sources of support to staff Mailing list where we share information, good reads, and link people up together locally Raising awareness and challenging the stereotypes: Explaining what we do, and how people can help improve the lives of staff with mental health issues

How Break the Stigma works Wellbeing room A key innovation – space for people to access support, information and take much needed sanctuary when needed at work

Break the stigma Setting up a group in Croydon 10 Case study Jo

The wellbeing room - a sanctuary, library, information base and gateway to support 11

Staff feedback 12 It’s really great to have this quiet room, just to get away from work & have some quiet time makes a difference. I like this room because I am at peace. The room actually helps me to clear my head. This is a great idea, particularly when so many staff are finding the working environment so stressful. The numbers & info being readily available are really useful. I’m so glad this room is here, I felt so overwhelmed I needed a good cry, anyway I phoned EAP & felt much better

Staff feedback 13 Feeling very low and couldn’t have made the phone call elsewhere. Also I had the opportunity to get myself together This room is really helpful & a short break here helps me face the rest of the day. It clearly makes me more productive Thank God that this room exists. I have certainly made good use of it and will probably continue to do so. It is a good & important step in the right direction by the Home Office to have places like this to go to when you really need it. I like the peace & quiet of this room. When my mind feels a mess & I start to worry I have a place I can visit & gather my thoughts

Criminal Casework taking action on BHD launch of the pledge 14

I commit to ensuring that Bullying, Harassment and Discrimination (BHD) has no place within Criminal Casework. I hereby make a pledge to: Continually develop my business area to ensure that we are all mindful of our behaviour and language to others. Be available to listen to staff, taking their concerns seriously. Be alert to my own behaviours and those of others around me, tackling any issues as soon as they arise. Make sure that all complaints are dealt with sensitively and confidentially. SIGNED …………………………………………………………………… Criminal Casework The Home Office values the diversity of its workforce and wishes to create and maintain a workplace based on mutual respect dignity and support. All employees, secondees and agency staff are expected to uphold the Home Office values when carrying out their work.

Next steps Wellbeing events Ken Sutton’s mental health movement Joining the Big White Wall Home Office Wellbeing strategy Ongoing engagement with EAP 16

Thought for today “Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about.” Wendy Mass 17

Thank you Any questions? 18