Short-term holding facilities at Western Jet Foil, Manston and Kent Intake Units

What we found

The detention facilities at Manston, Western Jet Foil and Kent Intake Unit hold people arriving on small boats or on vehicles. The management of detainees had largely improved, and because they were now held for a shorter time the high levels of tension and distress had diminished. However, many people, including young children, were still there for far too long and their vulnerability was not always properly identified. Detainees were not offered time in the fresh air or a bed during longer periods of detention.

Points to note: Home Office data on numbers detained and the length of detention were poor. Leaders needed to do more to make sure all staff behaved professionally and used interpretation when required.