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Registration of BSL/English Interpreters

Index
Introduction
For over 20 years, The Council for the Advancement of Communication With Deaf People (CACDP) has been involved in the assessment and registration of interpreters. In 2000, following a consultation with interpreters, deaf organisations, interpreter trainers and interpreting agencies, CACDP revised the registration system for interpreters. A new Independent Registration Panel (IRP) was set up and since April 2002, there have been new regulations for the registration of interpreters in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Deaf and hearing people are encouraged to only use interpreters who have been registered by the IRP, i.e. interpreters who have been properly trained and assessed (or who are undergoing approved training and assessment) and have met the criteria set by the IRP.

There are a number of people who work as interpreters who have received no training and have no interpreting qualifications. Others have undertaken training but have not applied for registration. The IRP would wish all BSL/English Interpreters to be registered.

CACDP funds the work of the IRP, and maintains and publishes the Register of BSL/English Interpreters for England, Northern Ireland and Wales.

What is the Independent Registration Panel (IRP)?
The IRP is made up of members who are drawn from the following groups:
  1. Deaf consumers and BSL tutors.
  2. Professional association of interpreters.
  3. Employers of interpreters/interpreting agencies.
  4. Providers of recognised Interpreter Training Programmes and assessment centres.
  5. External examiners and external verifiers of recognised Interpreter Training Programmes and assessment centres.

CACDP has one representative on the IRP. There are also two co-opted members.

The Work of the IRP
The IRP is responsible for administering the Register including approving applications for entry into the Register. The purpose is to ensure that those working as interpreters are appropriately trained and skilled. The work of the IRP includes:
The Relationship Between the IRP and CACDP
The IRP has been established as an independent body under CACDP's revised interpreter registration policy to administer the register of BSL/English Interpreters. CACDP funds the work of the IRP and maintains and publishes the Register of BSL/English Interpreters for England, Northern Ireland and Wales.
What are the Registration Categories for Interpreters?
Since April 2002 there have been three registration categories:

Interpreters are now referred to as BSL/English Interpreters to reflect the fact they interpret between two languages, BSL and English, and provide a service for both Deaf and hearing people.

Who Uses BSL/English Interpreters?

BSL/English Interpreters work for Deaf and hearing people. When a Deaf person signs, the interpreter conveys the meaning of what has been signed in spoken English. When a hearing person speaks, the interpreter presents the meaning of what has been said in BSL. BSL/English Interpreters therefore need to be skilled in the use of both languages as well as trained to work between the two languages. Thus the interpreter is able to facilitate effective communication between Deaf and hearing people.

The Categories of Interpreter Registration>Member of the Register (MRSLI)
A Member of the Register is an interpreter who has met nationally recognised standards, which have been agreed by the IRP. These are called the Interpreter Registration Standards and set out the competence and professional practice expected of a Member of the Register.

BSL/English Interpreters must be highly skilled in the use of BSL and English. They must also possess appropriate levels of knowledge about interpreting and professional conduct and be competent practitioners in a variety of settings.

Trainee Interpreter (TI)

The Trainee Interpreter is an interpreter who is working towards becoming a Member of the Register. Trainee Interpreters will have attained BSL skills that have been assessed at Level 4 NVQ or equivalent, together with an agreed standard of English skills.

They will have completed an Interpreter Training Programme (recognised by the IRP) or, alternatively, are in the process of working through an assessment programme for the Level 4 NVQ in Interpreting (BSL/English).

They should have a good knowledge of the Deaf community and interpreting issues and have achieved the required language skills, but they may not yet have the amount of practical experience of interpreting required to meet the standards.

Junior Trainee Interpreter (JTI)
The Junior Trainee Interpreter is an interpreter who is working towards becoming a Trainee Interpreter. They will have attained BSL skills that have been assessed at Level 3 NVQ or equivalent, together with an agreed standard of English skills.

They are currently working through, or may have completed a recognised Interpreter Training Programme.

Alternatively they may be following an Individual Interpreter Development Programme agreed with an Approved Assessment Centre for the Level 4 NVQ in Interpreting (BSL/English).

They should have a good knowledge of the Deaf Community and interpreting issues, but they are still developing their language and interpreting skills, and may not have had a great deal of practical experience of interpreting.

When can I register as a Language Service Professional?

The registration year runs from 1 April to 31 March each year. There are three registration dates throughout the year: 1 April (closing date 31 January), 1 September (closing date 31 July), 1 January (closing date 31 October).   To request a registration application pack contact the IRP Administrator on administration@independentregistrationpanel.org.uk

Identity Badges

All BSL/English Interpreters who are registered are issued, annually, with an identity badge. The badge has a photograph of the interpreter and the colour indicates their registration category:

The BSL/English Interpreter should carry their valid identity badge (i.e. showing the current registration year) so that it is available to show on request.
Where are BSL/English Interpreters Trained?

There are a number of places where people can train to become an interpreter. Some are universities and some are Independent training organisations. The IRP has recognised a number of BSL/English Interpreting training programmes and qualifications.

Between 2000 and 2001, all of the interpreter programmes being offered at that time by universities, were mapped against the Interpreter Registration Standards. Information was obtained on the course entry requirements, course content, and the knowledge of BSL, English and Interpreting the students were expected to know by the end of each course, as well as the range and depth of practical interpreting experience they were required to undertake.

As a result of the mapping, each programme was designated by the IRP as providing appropriate training (or part training) and assessment for a particular registration category of BSL/English Interpreter (i.e. 'Member of the Register', 'Trainee Interpreter', or 'Junior Trainee Interpreter').

Are there any Restrictions on the Practice of Trainee and Junior Trainee Interpreters?

The settings in which BSL/English Interpreters work are referred to as 'domains'. There are some domains in which only Members of the Register should be employed, such as legal and mental health settings. Interpreters are expected only to accept assignments for which they possess the requisite skills and experience.

In the legal domain of interpreting where there are limitations as to which category of interpreter should be employed. Since January 2002, a National Agreement between Police, courts and other legal agencies, has been in force. The agreement is that for Criminal cases in England and Wales, legal agencies, will try, wherever possible, to use only the services of Members of the Register and in the case of spoken language Interpreters, Members of the National Register of Public Service Interpreters (NRPSI).

This agreement aims to provide a standardised procedure for arranging interpreters for investigations into alleged offences and for defendants and witnesses appearing in criminal proceedings.

Why is registration important?

A BSL/English Interpreter's registered status informs:

Obtaining MRSLI status is a major milestone for an interpreter: it is a public proclamation that the interpreter has achieved the national standard in their profession, are able to accept assignments in a wide range of settings and can provide a quality service.

Registered Interpreters agree to abide by a Code of Ethics and Guidelines for Professional Practice. There is also a Complaints and Disciplinary Procedure in place for which the IRP is responsible.

How does an Interpreter Maintain their Membership of the Register?
Someone who has achieved registered status will need to continue to develop as an interpreter. A Member of the Register may have been a member for a number of years. It is important that MRSLIs are able to demonstrate that they are continuing to operate at the required standard. Interpreters need to continue to improve their language skills and gain further experience in a variety of settings. The IRP expects all Members of the Register to be committed to continual professional development.

Members of the Register (along with all registered interpreters) are required to renew their Membership of the Register each year. They will be expected, as part of this process, to provide evidence on a regular basis that they are developing their skills and keeping up to date in their knowledge of the profession.

How can I complain if I am not happy about the services I receive from an interpreter?

If you are not happy with the service you have received from an interpreter registered by the IRP, you can complain to the interpreter, to the organisation that employed the interpreter or to the IRP.

The Code of Ethics (opens in new window) and Guidelines for Professional Practice (opens in new window) provide, guidance for interpreters on such important matters as confidentiality, impartiality and professional conduct. If you feel an interpreter has acted in an unprofessional way and breached the code you may wish to complain. You can obtain further information on how to make a complaint by contacting the IRP.

You may feel that certain difficulties can best be solved by discussing them directly with the interpreter or the organisation that employed the interpreter. Most interpreting agencies have their own complaints procedure and will be pleased to inform you how you can make a complaint through their agency.

If you do not feel able to make your complaint directly to the interpreter or the organisation that employed the interpreter (or you do not consider it appropriate to do so) you can make your complaint to the IRP.

Where do I find information about interpreters?

The current registration status and qualifications of all interpreters who have been registered by the IRP can be checked in the CACDP Online Directory. This is available via the CACDP website. The Directory also contains the Code of Ethics (opens in new window) and Guidelines for Professional Practice (opens in new window) and Complaints and Disciplinary Procedure opens in new window).

Some interpreters also submit advertising information and this too is published in the Directory. If you need to book an interpreter directly, you can subscribe to the password-protected section of the Directory and find all the information you need.

Conclusion

Remember, it is always best to use an interpreter who has been registered by the IRP. If you are not booking the interpreter yourself, you should make sure that whoever is doing so, knows the difference between the different categories of registration, and what this might mean in terms of skills and experience needed in relation to your requirements.