Atlas in IE

Future 'Public Beta’ roll-out of Atlas in Immigration Enforcement suspended

PCS details the proposed changes to the roll out of ‘ATLAS’ (the replacement for CID) due to the potential consequences of COVID-19.

Background

In MB 01/20 PCS detailed our first meetings with managers in Immigration Enforcement (IE), on the proposed roll out of ‘Atlas’. Their proposal was to roll it out bit by bit in tranches. The first tranche had already rolled out in November 2019, and involved some limited areas of IE. The second tranche, primarily involving Detention and the Detention Gatekeeper rolled out on 4 February 2020. The third and fourth tranches, which involve Documentation, Person Management and Decision Making were due to roll out at the end of February, and the fifth and final tranche which deals with Voluntary Returns and Marriage Referrals would have rolled out at the start of April. CID, the casework system that ATLAS is meant to replace, would then be terminated by the end of September 2020.

COVID-19

When PCS met with managers in IE on 16 March 2020 we were informed that the decision had been taken to suspend the future roll-out of all ‘Public Beta’ tranches across IE due to the COVID-19 virus, and the implications it will have on work arrangements. The ‘Public Beta’ tranches would require staff to be trained on the new system in large numbers, and the problems likely to occur with both staffing levels and competing priorities as we attempt to prevent transmission of COVID-19 meant that this would be impractical and unworkable. One ‘Private Beta’ tranche has still gone ahead in Voluntary Returns, as training resources were not required for this. In Family returns the ‘Public Beta’ has already started and is continuing as the training has already been delivered.

Future Proposals

• Atlas

The decision has been taken not to delay Atlas in its entirety as that would cause more problems, and would mean some areas having to completely re-train staff. As above, that means that ‘Private Beta’ roll-outs will still occur. There is however no revised timetable for the future roll-out of Atlas.

• CID

Previous proposals were for CID to be decommissioned at the end of September 2020, but with the suspension of the roll-out of Atlas this decommissioning date is now being reviewed.

• Double Keying

Although on the face of it this delay may well mean an extension to the period when ‘double keying’ is required, IE state that amendments to Atlas in the intervening period may well mean that double keying may not be required, however this is speculation and there are currently no details available for how long ‘Double Keying’ may be required.

• Implications Across IE

Whilst the wider implications of COVID-19 are only now starting to become apparent there are trends already emerging. There are already less requests for detention space. Who can and cannot be detained may change as closed borders and travel limitations mean chances of successful removal must be reviewed. Enforcement staff that are available for work may be diverted to other more pressing areas of work in the short term.

PCS Concerns

Our concerns over possible extended periods of ‘double keying’ of information have been detailed above. In addition to this PCS has asked if IE could take the opportunities presented by this delay to look at problems faced by assistive technology users of Atlas. The business has reaffirmed its position that Atlas needs to be available to every in scope user. In addition to general feedback requested below, PCS asks that users of assistive technology make us aware of specific issues relating to their access to Atlas. We can then pass these on and they can be addressed.

Membership Feedback Needed

PCS requests feedback from members across IE on the impact of Atlas, its delays, and the wider issues this raises, We can then attempt to address issues that arise.

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