Individuals detained in police custody under immigration powers have a new service to access legal advice, starting on 1 June 2022.
The Immigration Police Station Advice (IPSA) service is replacing the Immigration Telephone Advice (ITA) service.
What does this mean for providers?
The change is likely to mean more work for face to face immigration providers.
Providers calling the Defence Solicitor Call Centre (DSCC) will need to listen carefully to the options they are presented with before connecting to an operator as these have changed.
Why is this happening now?
We need to ensure there is a new service to continue helping individuals detained in police custody under immigration powers. This is replacing the ITA contract which came to an end on 31 May 2022.
How will the new service work?
Detainees will be entitled to call-backs under the IPSA service to help them understand:
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what may happen next
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likely detention timescales
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how to access their nearest face to face immigration solicitor
Clients will then have the option of contacting a solicitor for legal advice. They may decide to do that while still in detention or following release from police custody.
If the client has special needs, such as translation services, the operator will be aware of this in advance of the call-back. They will be able to arrange translation on the call.