§ Mr. LoveTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what training is available to Immigration and Nationality Directorate caseworkers before they begin work processing asylum applications. [153701]
§ Beverley HughesAll new asylum caseworkers receive intensive training, comprising an initial 11-day course on all aspects of asylum work, 13 days in a special mentoring unit, and a 3-day intensive interviewing course (which is followed up by a consolidation workshop after 3 months in post). They receive continual support and mentoring from more experienced colleagues in a team working environment where the sharing and pooling of acquired expertise is actively encouraged. They also receive any additional training or mentoring necessitated by changes in legislation, policy and procedures, and attend developmental presentations or seminars provided by organisations such as UNHCR and the Medical Foundation. The effectiveness of the training is regularly evaluated to ensure that it continues to match the induction and development needs of new caseworkers.