Question to the Home Office:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their response to the recommendations made by Barnardo’s in its report of April 2014 on the treatment of children in the Cedars facility; which, if any, of the recommendations have been acted upon; and what actions have been taken.

The Home Office welcomed Barnardo’s report which has been carefully considered. Of the five recommendations, family escort teams have been implemented. Of the remainder, what was recommended is largely current policy already including use of force which is subject to review. We are unable to accept the recommendation not to separate families as there will be occasions when this is unavoidable. Such decisions are scrutinised at senior level and by the Independent Family Returns Panel.