Guidance

Annex C: training requirements

Updated 27 November 2025

Training

All DCOs must complete the mandatory training modules for their role before they can be certified as a DCO, evidence of training must be sent to VCAT before the DCO can be certified. If a DCO is certified and trained in one role and wishes to undertake another DCO role they must complete the relevant training for the new role. Evidence of this then needs to be sent to VCAT for approval so that the DCO can undertake the new role.

Any change to the Initial Training Courses and Refresher Training Courses must be approved by the Home Office and VCAT must be consulted as part of this process.

Refresher training

Where indicated below DCOs must maintain any refresher training to keep their certification in date. Any DCOs who go out of date with refresher training will have their certification lapse and must not carry out DCO duties until evidence of the refresher training has been received by VCAT.

Required initial training for all DCOs

The following training is required by all DCOs:

• immigration procedures, including Immigration Acts, Detention Centre Rules 2001, Detention Services and other relevant Operating Standards, Detention Services Orders and Home Office documentation
• an overview of the Human Rights Act 1998 and the European Convention on Human Rights
• powers and duties of a Detainee Custody Officer
• interpersonal skills to include a focus on empathy and acting inclusively
• the avoidance of conditioning, bribery and manipulation
• equality / diversity / religious and cultural awareness to include awareness of key of issues relating to the social / political / climatic and economic situations of key countries
• security procedures and practice
• search technique training
• escort procedures
• safer custody/ ACDT training
• report writing; and
• safeguarding Adults to include Adults at Risk (AaR)

Required training for DCOs working in detention centres (IRCs, STHFs, RHRs, PDAs)

DCOs have completed the below before they can carry out DCO duties in a detention centre:

• Control & Restraint training – must be refreshed annually
• Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) as advised by the Health & Safety Executive, regulations 1981; – must be refreshed every 3 years

Required training for DCO(E)s working in-country

DCOs must have completed the below before they can carry out DCO in-country escort duties:

• Control & Restraint training – must be refreshed annually.
• First aid at work training (FAAW) – must be refreshed every 3 years

Required training for DCO(E)s working overseas

DCOs must have completed the below before they can carry out DCO overseas escort duties:

• Home Office Manual for Escorting Safely (HOMES) – must be refreshed annually
• First aid at work training (FAAW) – must be refreshed every 3 years

Required training for any DCO working with children

DCOs must have completed the below before they can carry out DCO duties where they would be working with children:

• Safeguarding children training - to be refreshed annually
• Minimising and Managing Physical Restraint (MMPR) – must be refreshed every 6 months

This list is the minimum requirement and is non exhaustive and further training may be required based on the role, location and duties carried out as determined by the Home Office Compliance Team or other training instructions.