Immigration detention is the practice of detaining foreign nationals who are subject to immigration control for the purpose of resolving their immigration status. This can then result in individuals receiving permission to enter the country, or being deported.
Individuals can be detained in Immigration Removal Centres (IRCs), Short-Term Holding Facilities (STHFs) or Residential Short-Term Holding Facilities (RSTHFs).
IMB members monitoring within a STHF board will be allocated to their nearest Immigration Detention Facility but may be asked to cover another of the boards locations, if required.
See current opportunities to volunteer in:
Find vacancies and apply
We are currently recruiting new IMB members – follow the link below to apply!
Please note that our interview period is 16 November – 11 December and you will need to have some availability across this time in order to apply.
Please click here to see which Boards are recruiting or to register your interest:
Immigration Removal Centres
Campsfield House IRC
Type: male, immigration removal centre (IRC)
Location: Kidlington, OX5 1RE
Accessibility: car parking TBC
Campsfield Immigration Removal Centre (IRC) for men is based in Kidlington, Oxfordshire. The establishment can accommodate approximately 400 bed spaces.
Board members are expected to undertake around 2-3 visits a month and attend Board meetings, flexibility will be considered where possible to accommodate work and care commitments. Candidates need to be enthusiastic, open-minded, possess effective communication skills and have the ability to exercise sound, objective judgement. Applications are invited from candidates who live within 40 miles, or a reasonable travel time, of Campsfield IRC.
Derwentside IRC
Type: female, immigration removal centre (IRC)
Location: County Durham, DH8 6QY
Accessibility: visitor car park
Derwentside IRC is a fully contained residential immigration removal centre for women, based in Consett, County Durham. The establishment has approximately 80 bed spaces. Applications are particularly encouraged from women due to Derwentside’s all-female population.
Board members are expected to undertake around 2-3 visits a month and attend Board meetings, flexibility will be considered where possible to accommodate work and care commitments. Candidates need to be enthusiastic, open-minded, possess effective communication skills and have the ability to exercise sound, objective judgement. Applications are invited from candidates who live within 40 miles, or a reasonable travel time, of Derwentside IRC.
Dungavel IRC
Type: male and female, immigration removal centre (IRC)
Location: South Lanarkshire, ML10 6RF
Accessibility: visitor car park
Dungavel House IRC accommodates 249 men and women. It usually holds those being detained under immigration powers on arrival into, or pending departure from, the UK.
Board members are expected to undertake around 2-3 visits a month and attend Board meetings, flexibility will be considered where possible to accommodate work and care commitments. Candidates need to be enthusiastic, open-minded, possess effective communication skills and have the ability to exercise sound, objective judgement. Applications are invited from candidates who live within 40 miles, or a reasonable travel time, of Dungavel IRC.
Gatwick IRC
Type: male, immigration removal centre (IRC) and short term holding facility (STHF)
Location: Gatwick, RH6 0PQ
Accessibility: local parking and free shuttle bus from Gatwick train station available
This role consists of the monitoring of two immigration facilities, Brook House IRC, and Tinsley House IRC – currently operating as a residential STHF.
Board members are expected to undertake around 2-3 visits a month and attend Board meetings, flexibility will be considered where possible to accommodate work and care commitments. Candidates need to be enthusiastic, open-minded, possess effective communication skills and have the ability to exercise sound, objective judgement. Applications are invited from candidates who live within 40 miles, or a reasonable travel time, of Gatwick IRC.
Heathrow IRC
Type: male and female, immigration removal centre (IRC)
Location: Harmondsworth, UB7 0FX
Accessibility: visitor car park and public transport options available
Heathrow IRC is the largest immigration removal centre in Europe, holding around 1,000 men and 18 women in a secure environment. The centre is comprised of two adjacent sites: Harmondsworth and Colnbrook.
Board members are expected to undertake around 2-3 visits a month and attend Board meetings, flexibility will be considered where possible to accommodate work and care commitments. Candidates need to be enthusiastic, open-minded, possess effective communication skills and have the ability to exercise sound, objective judgement. Applications are invited from candidates who live within 40 miles, or a reasonable travel time, of Heathrow IRC.
Yarls Wood IRC
Type: male, Immigration Removal Centre (IRC) and Short Term Holding Facility (STHF)
Location: Bedford, MK44 1FD
Accessibility: visitor car park and public transport options available.
Yarl’s Wood IRC is a fully contained residential centre. Although previously used to house adult women and adult family groups awaiting immigration clearance, Yarl’s Wood currently operates predominantly as a male IRC and STHF.
Board members are expected to undertake around 2-3 visits a month and attend Board meetings, flexibility will be considered where possible to accommodate work and care commitments. Candidates need to be enthusiastic, open-minded, possess effective communication skills and have the ability to exercise sound, objective judgement. Applications are invited from candidates who live within 40 miles, or a reasonable travel time, of Yarls Wood.
Short-Term Holding Facilities
Kent Coast STHF
Type: Short Term Holding Facility (STHF)
Location: Kent Intake Unit (KIU) and Western Jet Foil, Dover CT16 1JA, Manston STHF CT12 5BS, Frontier House Folkestone CT20 2SH
Accessibility: public transport available in Dover and Frontier House, but not for Manston STHF, parking available at all sites
Kent Coast STHF is a regional Independent Monitoring Board covering three four short term immigration detention settings – two in Dover, one in Folkestone and one in Manston.
Board members are expected to undertake around one visit a month (which includes all four sites) and attend Board meetings once a month, flexibility will be considered where possible to accommodate work and care commitments. Board meetings can be attended online. Candidates need to be enthusiastic, open-minded, possess effective communication skills and have the ability to exercise sound, objective judgement. Applications are invited from candidates who live within 40 miles, or a reasonable travel time, of any location monitored by the Kent Coast STHF IMB.
London STHF
Type: Short Term Holding Facility (STHF)
Location: London City Airport E16 2PX, London Heathrow Airport UB3 5EY, Eaton House TW4 5DL, Cayley House TW6 1QG
Accessibility: visitor car parks and public transport options available
London STHF is a regional Independent Monitoring Board covering a variety of short term immigration detention settings including airports and a Home Office reporting centre.
Board members are expected to undertake around 2-3 visits a month and attend Board meetings, flexibility will be considered where possible to accommodate work and care commitments. Candidates need to be enthusiastic, open-minded, possess effective communication skills and have the ability to exercise sound, objective judgement. Applications are invited from candidates who live within 40 miles, or a reasonable travel time, of any locations monitored by the London STHF IMB.
North East Midlands, Yorkshire & Humberside STHF
Type: short term holding facility (STHF)
Locations: Hull HU9 5PW, Leeds Bradford Airport LS19 7TU, Leeds Waterside House LS4 2QB, Vulcan House Sheffield S3 8NU
Accessibility: parking available and public transport links to all sites
North East Midlands, Yorkshire & Humberside STHF are a regional board covering a variety of short term immigration detention settings including ports, airports and Home Office reporting centres. The Board are recruiting monitors’ for Hull, Leeds Bradford Airport, Leeds Waterside House, and Vulcan House Sheffield.
Board members are expected to undertake around 2-3 visits a month and attend Board meetings, flexibility will be considered where possible to accommodate work and care commitments. Candidates need to be enthusiastic, open-minded, possess effective communication skills and have the ability to exercise sound, objective judgement. Applications are invited from candidates who live within a reasonable travel time, of Sheffield, Hull, Leeds or Newark.
North West and Midlands STHF
Type: Short Term Holding Facility (STHF)
Locations: Holyhead port LL65 2BU
Accessibility: parking available and public transport links to all sites
North West and Midlands STHF is a regional Independent Monitoring Board covering a variety of short-term detention settings including a port, airports and Home Office reporting centres. The Board are recruiting for monitors’ for Holyhead port only.
Board members are expected to undertake around 2-3 visits a month and attend Board meetings, flexibility will be considered where possible to accommodate work and care commitments. Candidates need to be enthusiastic, open-minded, possess effective communication skills and have the ability to exercise sound, objective judgement. Applications are invited from candidates who live within 40 miles, or a reasonable travel time, of Holyhead port.
Cyfleuster Cadw Tymor Byr Gogledd Orllewin Lloegr a Chanolbarth Lloegr
Math: cyfleuster cadw tymor byr (STHF)
Lleoliad: Porthladd Caergybi LL65 1DQ
Hygyrchedd: parcio ar gael a chysylltiadau trafnidiaeth gyhoeddus i bob safle
Mae STHF Gogledd Orllewin Lloegr a Chanolbarth Lloegr yn Fwrdd Monitro Annibynnol rhanbarthol sy’n cynnwys amrywiaeth o leoliadau cadw mewnfudwyr yn y tymor byr. Rydym yn chwilio am aelodau i fonitro ym Mhorthladd Caergybi.
Disgwylir i aelodau’r Bwrdd wneud tua 2-3 ymweliad y mis a mynd i gyfarfodydd y Bwrdd. Bydd hyblygrwydd yn cael ei ystyried lle bo hynny’n bosibl er mwyn darparu ar gyfer ymrwymiadau gwaith a gofal. Mae angen i ymgeiswyr fod yn frwdfrydig, gyda meddwl agored, yn meddu ar sgiliau cyfathrebu effeithiol ac yn meddu ar y gallu i ddefnyddio barn gadarn a gwrthrychol. Gwahoddir ceisiadau gan ymgeiswyr sy’n byw o fewn 40 milltir, neu amser teithio rhesymol, o unrhyw un o’r lleoliadau a restrir sy’n cael eu monitro gan IMB STHF Gogledd-orllewin Lloegr a Chanolbarth Lloegr.
Scotland and Northern Ireland STHF
Type: Short Term Holding Facilities (STHF)
Locations: Drumkeen House (NI) BT8 6TB
Accessibility: parking available and public transport links to all sites
Scotland and Northern Ireland STHF monitor four Scottish Airports in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen. They also attend the holding rooms within Larne Residential STHF, and Drumkeen House immigration Reporting Centre in Northern Ireland. They are recruiting monitors for Drumkeen House only.
Board members are expected to undertake around 2-3 visits a month and attend Board meetings, flexibility will be considered where possible to accommodate work and care commitments. Candidates need to be enthusiastic, open-minded, possess effective communication skills and have the ability to exercise sound, objective judgement. Applications are invited from candidates who live within 40 miles, or a reasonable travel time, of Aberdeen Airport.
South and East STHF
Type: short term holding facility (STHF)
Locations: Stansted Airport CM24 1QW, Ruskin Square CRO 2WF, and Gatwick Airport RH6 0NP
Accessibility: parking available and public transport links to all sites
South and East STHF are a regional board covering a variety of short term immigration detention settings including ports, airports and a Home Office reporting centre. The Board are recruiting monitors to be located at Gatwick Airport, Stansted Airport, and Ruskin Square.
Board members are expected to undertake around 2-3 visits a month and attend Board meetings, flexibility will be considered where possible to accommodate work and care commitments. Candidates need to be enthusiastic, open-minded, possess effective communication skills and have the ability to exercise sound, objective judgement. Applications are invited from candidates who live within 40 miles, or a reasonable travel time, of the establishments monitored.
South and West STHF
Type: Short-Term Holding Facility (STHF)
Location: Bristol Airport BS48 3DY and Cardiff Airport CF62 3BD.
Accessibility: visitor car parks available
South and West STHF, monitor the welfare of those people who are detained in Holding Rooms managed by UK Border Force at various sea and airports across the South and West of England and Cardiff airport in Wales. The Board are recruiting monitors specifically for Bristol and Cardiff airports.
Board members are expected to undertake around 2-3 visits a month and attend Board meetings, flexibility will be considered where possible to accommodate work and care commitments. Candidates need to be enthusiastic, open-minded, possess effective communication skills and have the ability to exercise sound, objective judgement. Applications are invited from candidates who live within 40 miles, or a reasonable travel time, of Newhaven.
If there are no opportunities in a prison or immigration detention facility near you, register your interest. We will let you know as soon as the next campaign opens.
What you need to be an IMB volunteer
Be over 18 years of age.
Live within 30 miles of the immigration detention facility or a reasonable distance for travel.
Commit to around 2 – 3 visits a month (sometimes more during the induction period) and regular attendance at monthly board meetings.
You do not need any special qualifications or experience. We provide all necessary training and support.