ATLAS in IE

‘ATLAS’ (the replacement for CID) roll out in Immigration Enforcement

PCS details the proposed roll out of ‘ATLAS’, the caseworking replacement for ‘CID’ in Immigration Enforcement, and outlines PCS’ concerns

Background

PCS first met with the team overseeing the roll out of the CID replacement ‘ATLAS’ across Immigration Enforcement (IE) on 9 January 2020. Although it appears that ATLAS involved some other areas of the Home Office (in particular UKVI) some considerable time ago, Immigration Enforcement has only been involved in the creation of ATLAS for 18 months, but sadly there was no consultation with PCS till this month. Despite the 18 months’ previous development of ATLAS it is still the case that (now roll out has begun) some aspects of the new system remain untested and unclear. The training provision has not accommodated every user and it remains to be seen how extensively floor walker support will be provided.

Timetable

The first tranche has already rolled out in November 2019, and involved all IE users on a read-only basis and some active users within ICE, ROM, RP, NRC and CC. The second tranche, primarily involving Detention and the Detention Gatekeeper but also including setting removal directions and detained population moves, rolls out on 4 February 2020. The third and fourth tranches, which involve the Documentation, Person Management and Decision making roll out at the end of February, and the fifth and final tranche which deals with Voluntary Returns and Marriage Referrals rolls out at the start of April. CID, the casework system that ATLAS is meant to replace, will be terminated by the 30 September 2020. This represents a six month extension to planned CID availability in order to accommodate the ATLAS introduction process.

Preparation

IE are keen to talk up the assurance processes put in place in preparation for the roll out of ATLAS.

We are told that so far IE services on ATLAS are working well and that each service strand has a single operational manager who is heavily involved in setting the designer requirements of the system. As each tranche is due, business sign off must be agreed before roll out can proceed. Despite these reassurances there are still admitted problems though.

‘Double Keying’

Since ATLAS will need to run side by side with CID (the system it is due to replace) between November 2019 until at least February 2020 this necessitates some degree of duplication of data entry (otherwise known as ‘double keying’). Clearly this also requires double the amount of time staff will need to complete this requirement. It appears that IE do not know the impact that this will have on staff workloads and efficiency as it impacts different areas of IE in different ways, plus parts of the system to be introduced are not completely finalised yet. We are told that attempts are being made to minimise double keying, and that operational managers are aware of the risks; however there is currently no detailed information on what effect ATLAS is having and will have on the business, which in itself is worrying.

Training

Although some training has been rolled out, including e-learning, there appears to have been no records kept of who has fallen through the net, the numbers involved, where they might be, and how to address the shortfall.

PCS Concerns

Despite the obviously good intentions of the IE ATLAS team PCS has concerns over the potential impact of ATLAS in operational areas. ATLAS is badged as a caseworking tool, however it will also be used in many varied operational areas. It is clear that the system has not primarily been designed for that type of work, and the delayed inclusion of areas like IE in consultation reflects that. As a result we have real concerns at the impact this system may have on the business, especially front-line operational areas, and the additional burden it may place on staff as a result.

Membership Feedback Needed

PCS requests feedback from members across IE on the impact of the new system, as the ATLAS rollout progresses. PCS will meet IE again after the second tranche in mid February, and we need your help in keeping appraised of both the successes and failures of the new system. We can then attempt to highlight issues that increase the workload of members and make the business less able to function efficiently. We will ensure these issues are addressed and that members are not disadvantaged by ATLAS shortcomings.

Please feedback information to the authors of this members’ briefing (email addresses on the global address list).

Stephen Taylor (Assistant Group Secretary), Patricia Corrigan (Assistant Group Secretary)