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Introduction to Registration
What are registered Language Service Professionals (LSPs)?
Language Service Professionals (LSPs) are professionals with recognised qualifications in various language and communication skills (and other areas as appropriate), who provide specific types of communication support to deaf (including Deaf BSL-users, deafened, hard of hearing and deafblind) people. In many situations, Language Service Professionals (LSPs) are responsible for effective communication between deaf and hearing people. CACDP is responsible for the registration of LSPs according to the qualifications and other eligibility criteria specified for each type and category of registration. The availability of professionally qualified and regulated LSPs will often be critical to the health, liberty and/or well-being of deaf people and to the capacity of public agencies and other to meet their responsibilities where deaf people are involved.
Language Service Professionals are taken to include:
- BSL/English Interpreters - 3 categories of registration
- Member of the Register of BSL/English Interpreters
- Trainee BSL/English Interpreter
- Junior Trainee BSL/English Interpreter
- Lipspeakers - 2 categories of registration
- Member of the Register of Level 3 Lipspeakers
- Registered Level 2 Lipspeaker
- Member of the Register of Deafblind Interpreters (Manual)
- Member of the Register of Speech to Text Reporters
CACDP has registered BSL/English Interpreters since 1992. New registration categories and systems were developed during 2000/01 and came into effect on 1 April 2002, from which date registration has been undertaken by an Independent Registration Panel. CACDP registration of other LSPs was also introduced in 1992 and revised systems were introduced in 2004. These reflect CACDP's commitment to the wide range of communication methods used by deaf people.
What is registration?
CACDP provides registration systems for Language Service Professionals. Registration is a mechanism for regulating these professions.
Registered status enables the practitioner to demonstrate to deaf and hearing users of Language Service Professionals, their commitment to the highest professional standards.
The registration system provides users of Language Service Professionals with an guarantee that if they use a registered LSP they will be using someone who has:
- appropriate language qualifications
- achieved the required standard
- appropriate to their level of registration
- agreed to follow the relevant Code of Ethics or Practice
- agreed to submit to the Complaints and Disciplinary Procedures
- Professional Indemnity Insurance
- CRB Enhanced Disclosure, which can be made available to anyone with a valid reason to request it
- Deaf and hearing people who use the services of LSPs
- the organisations that employ LSPs
- the other professionals with whom LSPs work
- the LSPs themselves as practitioners
- the specific LSP professions
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