Interpreter and Translation Services

Put simply, an interpreter is a person who is able to support effective conversations to take place by:

1. listening to the first person;
2. understanding what they want to say;
3. communicating this to the second person;
4. listening to the second person's response;
5. understanding what they want to say; and
6. communicating this to the first person.

Interpreters can also interpret written communication into the spoken word.

It is important that any person acting as an interpreter:

1. understands the communication needs of the person they are supporting;
2. maintains impartiality;
3. maintains confidentiality;
4. can make the person they are supporting feel at ease (and therefore able to communicate their views openly);
5. asks questions to check their own understanding, if this is not clear;
6. captures emotions and feelings, not just the spoken word; and
7. checks that the person they are communicating to understands what they have said.

Interpreters can also rephrase things or break them down if this will help the person understand what is being communicated. However, in doing so they must make sure that the intended meaning is not lost.

A translator is a person who reproduces written communication or information from one language into written communication in another language, so that the person reading it can understand it.

This could be:

1. a letter;
2. an e-mail;
3. an information leaflet;
4. an assessment or other report;
5. minutes of a meeting.

The Care Act statutory guidance states that it is not normally appropriate to use a family member or friend as an interpreter.

However, in certain circumstances it may be appropriate to consider using a family member or friend as an interpreter if:

1. the person's/carer's style of communication is unique to them; or
2. they can only be fully understood by someone close to them; or
3. they refuse to engage with a formal interpreter.

The use of a family member or friend must also be considered if the person/carer has capacity and specifically requests it. Any decision must take into account the impact on their individual wellbeing.

Family members and friends should always be considered as interpreters when:

1. the person/carer has capacity and specifically requests it; and
2. the family member or friend agrees; and
3. the family member or friend understands the role of an interpreter; and
4. there is no evidence that it would not be appropriate for them to act as interpreter.

Requests from a family member or friend should only be considered when:

1. a person with care and support needs lacks capacity to request it; and
2. the family member or friend understands the role of an interpreter; and
3. there is no evidence that it would not be appropriate for them to act; and
4. you decide it would be in the Best Interests of the person based on the specific presenting circumstances.

In any of the following circumstances it would not be appropriate for a family member or friend to act as interpreter:

1. The family member or friend has their own strong views about the current situation, and is unlikely to act impartially; or
2. There are indicators that a family member or friend may not be appropriate, and it has not been possible to mitigate any risks (see below); or
3. In the case of a person with care and support needs, concerns have been raised in regards to possible ongoing abuse or neglect by the family member or friend.

In all other situations you will need to make a judgement, but the following are some potential warning indicators:

1. You are concerned that the family member or friend may not understand the role of an interpreter;
2. Other people express concerns about their motivation or impartiality;
3. The person/carer appears to be easily influenced by them during routine conversations;
4. They stand to gain financially (or in property) from the decision to be made;
5. They will be significantly and directly affected by one or more of the available options (either positively or negatively).

Some of the supplementary questions you could ask about the family member or friend to help make a final decision include:

1. Do they have a genuine interest in the person's/carer's welfare?
2. Do they normally support the person/carer to make their own decisions?
3. Have they acted as an interpreter before, and if so, did this work well?
4. What is the basis for any concerns raised, specifically are these evidence based?
5. Have there been any concerns raised before?
6. What would the impact be on the person/carer if they acted/did not act?
7. Is there anyone else who would be suitable to act?

You should:

1. seek the advice of your line manager as required; and
2. explore whether there are ways to enable them to act, especially if the person/carer has requested it; and
3. if not, make arrangements to use an interpreter service.

If a decision is made that it is not appropriate for a family member or friend to act, you should:

1. explain the rationale for the decision to them;
2. explain the rationale for the decision to the person/carer;
3. explain that an interpreter service will be arranged; and
4. advise them of their right to complain about the decision.

You should also explain that declining for them to act as an interpreter does not mean that they cannot be involved in the care and support process taking place, so long as:

1. the person/carer consents to them being involved; or
2. in the case of a person with care and support needs who lacks capacity, a Best Interests decision is made to involve them.

Sometimes evidence of a family member or friend's inappropriateness to act may not become apparent until they are doing so.

If you are concerned about the appropriateness of a family member or friend to continue to act as an interpreter you should:

1. seek the advice of your line manager as required;
2. discuss concerns with the family member or friend, reiterating their role;
3. postpone any further conversations with them as the interpreter; and
4. consider making arrangements to use an interpreter service.

You should provide the person/carer with information and advice to support them to make a decision about consent. This includes information about:

1. the reason an interpreter is required;
2. the benefit of involving an interpreter;
3. the process of arranging an interpreter;
4. what to expect from interpreter involvement; and
5. the timeframe for arranging an interpreter.

If the information is not accessible to the person/carer, you should:

1. identify anyone from their informal network who may be able to support them to understand it; and, if not
2. arrange a provisional interpreter.

If a person/carer with capacity refuses consent to arrange an interpreter, you cannot arrange one. However, in this instance:

1. the person should be deemed to have substantial difficulty under the Care Act; and
2. an independent advocate must be provided; to
3. ensure that their involvement in any care and support processes is maximised.

If a person with care and support needs lacks capacity to provide consent, a service can be arranged in their Best Interests if deemed so by someone with legal responsibility or, if not, the Local Authority.

Interpreter services should be arranged in line with available local processes and guidance. This can be found on the LCC intranet.

See: Interpretation and Translation Service (LCC intranet)

Lincolnshire County Council provides Adult Care information in accessible formats for people with communication needs. Where a service user or member of the public requires information in an alternative format or the use of an interpreter, this should be provided in line with the Accessible Information Standard. Additional information is available to Adult Care staff showing how to make information accessible in the Accessible Communications Policy.

See: Accessible Information Standard (NHS)

See: Accessible Communications Policy