Professional Standards Investigator - Heathrow Immigration Removal Centre

Job Title: Professional Standards Investigator
Location: Heathrow Immigration Removal Centres, UK (with potential travel to other sites)
Reporting to: Head of Business Assurance
Salary: £37,023 per annum, plus benefits including pension scheme, 25 days annual leave, and access to employee assistance programmes.
Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week (flexible working may be available, including occasional out-of-hours duties).
Contract Type: Permanent

Role Purpose

As a professional standards investigator at Heathrow Immigration Removal Centre (IRC), you will play a pivotal role in maintaining the highest standards of integrity, compliance, and professionalism among staff. This middle management position focuses on leading and conducting internal investigations into staff conduct, allegations of misconduct, complaints, and breaches of policy or procedure. You will ensure that all investigations are thorough, impartial, and aligned with UK legal frameworks, including the Human Rights Act, Equality Act, and Home Office guidelines for detention centres.

Working within a secure and sensitive environment, you will collaborate with senior management, HR, and external bodies such as the Independent Monitoring Board or Police where necessary. Your expertise will help foster a culture of accountability, supporting the IRC's mission to provide safe, humane, and lawful detention for individuals subject to immigration control. This role demands discretion, resilience, and a commitment to ethical standards in a high-pressure setting.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead Investigations: Plan, execute, and oversee internal staff investigations, including gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, suspects, and complainants, and analysing documentation such as CCTV footage, incident reports, and electronic records. Ensure investigations are completed within agreed timescales and to a high evidential standard.
• Case Management: Manage a caseload of complex investigations, prioritising based on risk and severity. Prepare detailed investigation reports with clear findings, recommendations, and action plans. Present outcomes to senior leadership and contribute to disciplinary proceedings or referrals to external authorities.
• Compliance and Risk Assessment: Identify patterns of misconduct or systemic issues through investigative work. Advise on preventive measures, policy improvements, and training needs to mitigate future risks. Ensure all activities comply with data protection laws (GDPR), whistleblowing policies, and IRC operational standards.
• Team Leadership and Development: Supervise junior investigators or support staff, providing guidance, mentoring, and performance feedback.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Liaise with internal departments (e.g., HR, Operations, Security) and external partners, including the Home Office, legal advisors, or law enforcement. Handle sensitive communications with staff unions or representatives during investigations.
• Training and Awareness: Deliver training sessions on investigation techniques, ethical conduct, and complaint handling to IRC staff. Stay updated on best practices in investigations within secure environments.
• Administrative Duties: Maintain accurate records in line with audit requirements. Use investigative software and databases to track cases and produce management information reports.

Person Specification

Essential Qualifications and Experience

• Proven experience in conducting investigations, ideally as an ex-police officer, detective, or in a similar role within law enforcement, regulatory bodies, or secure facilities (e.g., prisons, detention centres).
• At least 5 years' experience in investigative work, with a track record of handling sensitive internal staff matters such as misconduct, harassment, or fraud.
• Relevant qualifications, such as a degree in Criminology, Law, or a related field; or professional certifications like the Professionalising Investigation Programme (PIP) Levels 1-2, or equivalent.
• Experience in a middle management capacity, including supervising teams and managing caseloads in a fast-paced environment.

Desirable Qualifications and Experience

• Knowledge of UK immigration detention policies, human rights legislation, and safeguarding principles.
• Background in immigration, asylum, or border control sectors.
• Experience using digital forensics tools or handling evidence in secure settings.
• Familiarity with Home Office detention centre rules, MOJ policy and the Adults at Risk policy.

Skills and Competencies

• Investigative Skills: Exceptional analytical abilities, attention to detail, and the capacity to remain impartial under pressure. Proficient in evidence collection, interview techniques (e.g., PEACE model), and report writing.
• Leadership and Communication: Strong interpersonal skills for managing teams and stakeholders. Ability to communicate complex findings clearly, both verbally and in writing, including to non-specialists.
• Resilience and Ethics: High levels of integrity, discretion, and emotional resilience to handle challenging or distressing situations. Commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion.
• Technical Proficiency: Competent in MS Office, case management systems, and data analysis tools. Willingness to undergo enhanced DBS checks and security vetting.
• Problem-Solving: Proactive approach to identifying risks and implementing solutions in a regulated environment.

Additional Information

This role requires enhanced security clearance and may involve shift work or on-call responsibilities during critical incidents. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace and encourage applications from diverse backgrounds. Reasonable adjustments will be made for candidates with disabilities.