UK Border Agency / Childminding
When UK Border Agency Custody Team at any port in South-East England, detains someone on suspicion of drug smuggling offences, they are transported to Heathrow. A proportion of these passengers travel with children, creating a need for suitable local child care.
The need for childcare can be immediate and short term (prior to any charges being brought) or longer term, pending more permanent arrangements. We have worked with LB Hillingdon and the section of UK Border Agency previously known as HM Customs to broker a scheme which enables access to suitably trained and experienced registered childminders to care for these children.
Since 1986, Heathrow Travel Care have convened regular meetings attended by representatives from UK Border Agency, London Borough of Hillingdon Children’s Services, along with current childminders, to develop this service, including training and monitoring, provide feedback and to discuss any concerns. The meetings are a valued opportunity for these agencies to meet face to face to discuss specific issues and to agree on future actions.
If you are interested in this group or its work, please contact the Lead Worker, Ross Erlam at Heathrow_Travel_Care@baa.com.
Case study – a typical scenario
Ms R and her two children aged 8 and 10, travelled to London, arriving in the early morning off a long haul flight. On arrival at Heathrow, Ms R came to the attention of the UK Border Agency who had reason to believe that she was carrying illicit drugs.
UKBA decided to detain Ms R in a nearby holding centre whilst a decision was made on whether she would be charged with an offence. In the meantime, arrangements were made with the Customs’ childminding co-ordinator for a local childminder to care for the children whilst their mother was in detention.
It was reported by the childminder that the 8 year old child was showing signs of distress and trauma. The childminders are prepared for such responses and are able to deal with such issues sensitively and appropriately.
Ms R was eventually charged with attempting to smuggle drugs into the UK. London Borough of Hillingdon’s Children and Families Team made the necessary arrangements for the children to be taken into appropriate longer term accommodation.