Moved by
Baroness Hamwee
84C: After Clause 78, insert the following new Clause—
“Assessments: trauma-informed approach
(1) All assessments of persons subject to immigration control or relating to modern slavery or human trafficking must be made on the basis of a trauma-informed approach.
(2) The Secretary of State must publish and keep updated guidance for caseworkers and others dealing with such persons regarding the use of such an approach in achieving best evidence in order to reach decisions.
(3) The Secretary of State must ensure that caseworkers and others to whom the guidance under subsection (2) applies receive appropriate training to ensure assessments under subsection (1) are conducted on the basis of a trauma-informed approach.
(4) Before publishing or updating the guidance in subsection (2), the Secretary of State must consult—
(a) the Royal College of Psychiatrists,
(b) the British Medical Association,
(c) the British Association of Social Workers, and
(d) any other persons they consider appropriate.
(5) In subsection (1) “a trauma-informed approach” includes—
(a) the recognition of the impact of trauma on individuals,
(b) the recognition of the causes and indicators of trauma,
(c) the importance of avoiding re-traumatisation, and
(d) the integration of knowledge about trauma into policies, procedures and practices.”
Member’s explanatory statement
This new Clause is aimed at ensuring that immigration officials and caseworkers operate a trauma-informed approach in assessing claimants and provides for training to ensure a capacity for trauma-informed interviewing, similar to Ministry of Justice and National Police Chiefs’ Council guidance on achieving best evidence in criminal proceedings.