The Home Office has officially launched the recruitment process for the first-ever Windrush Commissioner, a key role aimed at bringing justice to the victims of the Windrush Scandal and ensuring this never happens again. This position is part of the government’s commitment to addressing past wrongs and making long-overdue cultural changes within the department.
The Windrush Scandal continues to affect the lives of those who arrived in the UK from the Caribbean between 1948 and 1971. Many individuals who had every right to live in the UK were wrongfully detained, denied legal rights, and even threatened with deportation due to bureaucratic failures that prevented them from proving their rightful status. The damage caused by this injustice has left families torn apart and lives disrupted, but the government now has an opportunity to make things right.
The newly appointed Windrush Commissioner will be an independent voice for the victims, ensuring their stories are heard and that they receive the compensation and justice they are owed. The role will also involve overseeing the Home Office’s compensation scheme and holding the department accountable for ensuring that systemic issues are addressed, preventing further harm to those affected.
Sir Matthew Rycroft, Permanent Secretary at the Home Office, has stressed the need for a candidate who is a strong leader with exceptional judgment, capable of engaging with a diverse range of individuals, from victims and their families to stakeholders across various sectors. The ideal candidate will have personal integrity, a clear understanding of the impact of the scandal, and ideally, experience informed by lived reality.
The Commissioner will also play a crucial role in ensuring that the Home Office delivers on the Windrush Lessons Learned Review (WLLR), which seeks to prevent such injustices in the future. The role includes providing guidance on the Home Office’s progress and ensuring that lasting cultural change is embedded within the department.
This is a contract position with a salary of £130,000, and applicants have the option of full-time or part-time work (minimum 3 days per week). The closing date for applications is 20 March 2025 at 23:00 GMT.
To learn more about the role and to apply, visit: Windrush Commissioner Vacancy.