Caseworker

Detention Gatekeeper Caseworker – Home Office | £38,415–£38,991 + Approximately 23% Allowance | London

A major Home Office opportunity in London is available for a Detention Gatekeeper Caseworker within Immigration Enforcement.

The role offers a permanent, full-time position at Executive Officer grade, with 10 vacancies available. Successful candidates will work in a fast-paced operational environment, making evidence-based decisions concerning immigration detention and safeguarding vulnerable individuals.

Application deadline: 11:55 pm, Monday 24 August 2026.

Key Job Details

Salary and Additional Allowance

The advertised salary is £38,415–£38,991 per year.

The position currently attracts an Annualised Hours Allowance of approximately 23% of salary, equivalent to approximately £8,835 per year based on the minimum salary.

This means the total remuneration could be approximately £47,250 per year when the stated allowance is added to the minimum salary, subject to applicable terms and conditions.

Who Is This Opportunity Relevant To?

This opportunity may be particularly relevant to applicants with experience in:

• Operational delivery
• Casework and decision-making
• Government or public-sector environments
• Immigration-related work
• Enforcement or compliance
• Working with sensitive or complex cases
• Evidence-based decision-making
• Stakeholder management
• Fast-paced operational environments
• Roles requiring strong written and verbal communication

Previous immigration detention experience is desirable but not essential.

About the Role

The Detention Gatekeeper function was introduced following the Stephen Shaw Review into the Welfare in Detention of Vulnerable Persons.

The role provides an important safeguard within the immigration detention system.

The successful candidate will consider referrals for immigration detention and help ensure that detention is used appropriately and only when justified.

A major part of the role involves identifying potentially vulnerable individuals and considering whether detention is appropriate in light of relevant policies, evidence, removal prospects and individual circumstances.

Key Responsibilities

As a Detention Gatekeeper Caseworker, you will be responsible for:

• Considering referrals where immigration detention has been authorised by an appropriate senior manager.
• Making fair, timely and evidence-based decisions about whether individuals should enter the detention estate.
• Communicating decisions clearly and professionally to referring officers.
• Supporting and overseeing shifts when acting as Duty Officer.
• Allocating colleagues across workflow areas to meet service-level requirements.
• Monitoring relevant email inboxes and operational workflows.
• Identifying barriers to removal and escalating complex cases.
• Identifying potentially vulnerable individuals.
• Applying relevant immigration detention policies.
• Completing initial detention reviews.
• Preparing required documentation.
• Supporting internal thematic areas such as performance management, wellbeing and stakeholder engagement.
• Liaising with the Detainee Escorting and Population Management Unit regarding detention capacity.
• Communicating effectively with internal stakeholders.
• Resolving operational problems and complaints promptly.
• Using relevant IT systems and workflow tools.
• Starting an initial removal plan before case allocation.
• Considering travel-document requirements and outstanding barriers to removal.
• Allocating accepted cases to the appropriate detention management team.
• Overseeing releases where authorised.
• Supporting data gathering and analysis for strategic projects.
• Working with relevant Offender Management and UKVI teams.
• Keeping up to date with immigration detention policy and guidance.

Essential Requirements

Applicants will need to demonstrate:

Ability to Work Under Pressure

You should be able to work at pace, remain organised under pressure, prioritise important activities and take a proactive approach.

Strong Communication Skills

You will need strong oral, written and IT-based communication skills and confidence when dealing with colleagues, stakeholders and senior managers.

Evidence-Based Decision-Making

You should have experience using evidence and knowledge to support accurate and expert decisions and advice.

Desirable Experience

The following would be advantageous:

• Knowledge of immigration detention
• Previous experience in an operational delivery role or equivalent

Civil Service Behaviours

Candidates will be assessed against:

• Making Effective Decisions
• Delivering at Pace
• Managing a Quality Service

For the application stage, evidence is specifically requested for Making Effective Decisions.

Working Hours and Shift Pattern

This is a full-time position requiring shift work.

Current operating hours are:

Monday to Friday: 7:00 am – 9:00 pm

Weekends and public holidays: 7:00 am – 7:00 pm

Operating hours may change, including the possibility of a 24-hour operation.

Applicants must be prepared for:

• Early starts
• Late finishes
• Overnight shifts where required
• Weekends
• Public holidays
• Christmas and Boxing Day shifts where rostered

Some shifts may fall outside normal public transport operating hours.

Hybrid Working

The role currently operates on a hybrid basis.

Successful applicants must work a minimum of 60% of shifts from the office.

The hybrid arrangement is non-contractual and may be subject to business requirements.

Benefits

The Home Office offers:

• Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
• 25 days’ annual leave on appointment
• Annual leave increasing to 30 days with service
• Eight public holidays
• One additional privilege day
• Annualised Hours Allowance of approximately 23%
• In-year rewards for exceptional individual or team achievements
• Professional development opportunities
• Opportunities to broaden operational experience
• Hybrid working where business requirements permit

Application Process

The vacancy uses the Civil Service Success Profiles recruitment process.

Applicants will need to complete:

Personal Statement: Maximum 500 words.

Behaviour Evidence: Maximum 250 words for Making Effective Decisions.

Your personal statement should demonstrate how your skills and experience meet the essential criteria.

Important Application Dates

Application deadline: 24 August 2026

Sift: 26 August 2026

Interview: 17 September 2026

Interviews will take place via Microsoft Teams.

Security Requirements

Successful candidates must satisfy the required security and pre-employment checks, including:

• Basic or equivalent criminal record checks
• Security vetting
• Counter-Terrorist Check requirements
• Baseline Personnel Security Standard checks
• Additional Integrity Check associated with Immigration Enforcement

Nationality and Right-to-Work Requirements

The vacancy is broadly open to eligible:

• UK nationals
• Republic of Ireland nationals
• Commonwealth nationals with the right to work in the UK
• Eligible EU, Swiss, Norwegian, Icelandic and Liechtenstein nationals with relevant settled or pre-settled status
• Certain individuals with limited or indefinite leave to remain
• Eligible Turkish nationals and certain family members who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Applicants should check the official nationality requirements before applying.

Is Visa Sponsorship Available?

Important: The vacancy does not state that Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) or Skilled Worker visa sponsorship is available.

Applicants requiring sponsorship should not assume sponsorship is available and should verify their eligibility directly with the official vacancy information.

Artificial Intelligence and Applications

The employer states that AI tools may support an application, but all examples and statements submitted must be:

• Truthful
• Factually accurate
• Based on the applicant’s own experience

Applicants should not present AI-generated examples as their own personal experience.

Reasonable Adjustments

Candidates requiring reasonable adjustments can contact the Government Recruitment Service before the closing date.

Applicants should also complete the relevant Assistance Required section of the application form where appropriate.

Reserve List

A reserve list may be maintained for up to 12 months.

Being placed on the reserve list does not guarantee a subsequent job offer.

Why Consider This Role?

This is a strong opportunity for candidates looking to build or advance a career within UK Government, Immigration Enforcement or operational casework.

The position combines:

• Competitive Civil Service salary
• Additional annualised-hours allowance
• Permanent employment
• Executive Officer grade
• Civil Service pension
• Annual leave benefits
• Operational decision-making
• Casework experience
• Stakeholder engagement
• Professional development opportunities

Application Tips

Before applying, make sure your application clearly demonstrates:

1. A specific example of making an effective decision.
2. How you assessed evidence before reaching your decision.
3. How you handled pressure or competing priorities.
4. How you communicated your decision to relevant stakeholders.
5. The outcome of your decision.
6. What you learned or improved from the experience.

Use specific examples from your own experience rather than simply listing your previous duties.

Important: Check the Shift Requirements

This is not a standard Monday-to-Friday office role.

Successful applicants must be able to work rostered shifts, including early starts, late finishes, weekends and public holidays.

The position currently requires a minimum of 60% of shifts to be worked from the office.

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted through the official Civil Service Jobs vacancy.

Vacancy: Detention Gatekeeper Caseworker

Reference: 473142

Location: Croydon, London

Salary: £38,415–£38,991 + approximately 23% allowance

Closing date: 11:55 pm, Monday 24 August 2026

Full Details + Apply

Apply through the official Civil Service Jobs vacancy

Contact Information

Job Contact: Home Office Resourcing Centre

Email: HORCCampaignTeamIE@homeoffice.gov.uk

Recruitment Team: HOrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

When contacting the recruitment team, include job reference 473142.

Final Reminder

There are 10 positions available, but applications close at 11:55 pm on 24 August 2026.

Candidates interested in Home Office operational delivery, immigration casework, evidence-based decision-making and Civil Service careers should review the requirements carefully and apply before the deadline.