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Good Practice Guidelines for Interpreters
The
interpreter must ensure they abide by the Code of Ethics as outlined in this
section. The interpreter must:
Be
Punctual: You should aim to arrive 10
minutes before their appointment time. If you are delayed or unable to attend
you should inform all parties immediately.
Respect
Confidentiality: See the
confidentiality agreement.
If customer requests, please sign it. Whether you sign it or not as an
interpreter it is your moral and professional responsibility to respect these
code of confidentiality. The interpreter must observe and maintain the
principles of confidentiality at all times.
- Interpreters will not take personal
advantage of any information obtained during the course of their work.
- Under normal circumstances no
information will be passed by the interpreter to anyone outside of the
interpreting session.
- Forms and other information sheets
carried by the interpreter, which contain confidential information, must be
kept in a safe place and transported securely. They must not be shown to
anyone else except relevant Interpreting Service or Health and Social
Services personnel involved in the appointment.
- No personal information should be
faxed.
Be
Impartial: The interpreter must
NOT accept any form of payment or other reward for interpreting work other than
the session fee. Declare possible conflicts of interest
Maintain
Professionalism:
-
The
interpreter must be attentive and sensitive to the needs, wishes and
individual background of the client at all times.
-
The
interpreter must be respectful and non judgemental to the client.
-
The
interpreter must NOT discriminate directly or indirectly on grounds of
class, gender, sexual orientation, ethnic origin, national origin, political
or religious beliefs, disability, martial status, having dependents or not,
or age.
-
The
interpreter must NOT delegate work they have accepted without the consent of
the responsible officer.
-
Interpreters are expected to present and conduct themselves in a
professional manner.
-
Only
undertake work that you are competent to accomplish in a satisfactory way.
- Under
no circumstances should an interpreter place themselves, or be placed, in a
position of risk in the presence of a vulnerable adult or child. When
interpreters are working with vulnerable adults or children, a member of
staff should always accompany them. Should circumstances arise when there is
a possibility an interpreter may be left alone with a vulnerable adult or
child they should report this and seek direction from the officer in charge
or withdraw.
Interpreter’s Rights :The interpreter
may refuse or terminate an assignment when:
- She or he feels they have been
inadequately briefed
- She or he feels that the subject
is beyond her or his capacity
- She or he is subject to
unacceptable demands or behaviour from clients or Customers.
- When there is a serious incident
of racial abuse or other discrimination
- To be treated and respected as a
professional.
- To be paid.
- To ask for the time to carry out
their required duties before, during, and after the interview (excluding
emergency situations).
- To be an interpreter - not a
doctor, social or community worker, secretary etc.
- Not to be expected to be an
‘expert’ on medical or cultural issues.
- Aftercare: To get aftercare
support, particularly when cases are particularly distressing or difficult.
Before
Accepting the Session: The customer
should provide the interpreter with the following information:
Service Provider Details: the name of the contact person setting up the
appointment and their contact number. The name and role of the Customer who
will be involved in the appointment.
Client Details: The name and gender of the client, their language and
dialect, and their contact number (where appropriate)
Appointment Logistics: The date, day, time, estimated duration of
appointment and the precise location of appointment.
Appointment Content: You will be given information on the general
nature and context of the appointment.
Pre
Interview: You will be told if the Customer has requested a pre
interview.
Additional Information: You will also be advised, where known, if:
- A relative, carer, guardian or
other person will be present
- The information is likely to
be particularly serious or sensitive
- Terminology used is likely to
be highly specialised or technical
- The appointment is to take
place in a specialised environment
Considerations before accepting the Session:
Before accepting offer of work the interpreter must
consider the following:
-
Availability: date,
time, place and travel arrangements
-
Correct match: Is
there a suitable match in terms of language, dialect, gender or other
factors?
-
Conflict of
interest: is the client a close relative or friend?
- Professional limitation: Is the
subject matter of a complicated or specialised nature that goes beyond
training or experience?
Preparation for the Session: In
preparation for the session the interpreter should:
-
Contact the client
(where appropriate): If requested contact the client by telephone to make
sure she or he is aware of the appointment date, time and location. You will
be told if it is inappropriate to do. In addition you will be told if it is
inappropriate to leave a message rather than speaking to them directly.
-
Research: Undertake
research needed to familiarise yourself with the specific subject matter,
including relevant vocabulary.
-
Locate Venue: Make
sure you are familiar with the venue and how to get there. If the venue is
the client’s home you need to take into account health and safety issues and
may wish to arrange to meet the Customer outside or nearby.
-
Paperwork: You should
fill in the appointment details on the Interpreter
Invoice and the
Timesheet.
The Pre
Interview: A Pre Interview is more
likely in relation to a specialist appointment. For example cases around: Child
Protection, Domestic Violence, Terminal Illness and Mental Health Assessment.
The Pre
Interview should be used to:
- Clarify terminology and
procedures.
- Discuss contextual factual
information about the case.
- Set the aim of the present
consultation.
- Discuss interpreting methods
required.
- Discuss any previous incidents
when the Customer has not understood cultural implications.
- Discuss any challenging behaviour
that may occur and how the interpreter might respond.
The
Beginning of the Session:
Report: On arrival the interpreter should inform the relevant reception
staff of their arrival, and of the client’s arrival if they are aware of
this.
Health and Safety: you need to take your own health and safety into
account for all appointments but particularly if they are in a client’s
home.
Introduction:
Interpreters should
formally introduce themselves to the client and include the following:
-
Your Name and Role:
State you are an interpreter and explain the role of the interpreter if
needed.
-
State the Service is
confidential and explain if needed.
-
Explain that ‘everything
you say will be interpreted. If there is anything you don’t want to tell
the Customer/ Service provider, please do not tell me either because I
will have to interpret exactly what you say’.
Managing
the Interpreting Interview
Seating: The usual arrangement is a triangular formation i.e. the inter
should be interpreter should be in between the Client and Customer without
obscuring anyone. This allows you to clearly communicate with the Customer
and client, and increases the client’s confidence.
Style of Speech
-
Direct Speech: the First Person. In most circumstances the
interpreter should use the first person (direct speech). (that is “I
have a pain in my stomach” not “He says he has a pain in his stomach.”)
-
Indirect Speech: the third person. In circumstances when speech is
particularly emotional or if otherwise directed by the Customer the
interpreter may need to use the third person.
Intervention during the Interpreting Situation: Interpreters can
intervene during the interpreting session for several reasons including the
following:
-
Clarification: To ask for clarification if she or he has not fully
understood the concept she/he is being asked to interpret.
-
Misunderstanding: To point out that the client or Customer has not
understood the message although the interpreter was correct.
-
To
ensure adequate time (sentence length, speed of speech) is left for the
interpreting process.
-
At
end of Session: To ensure that at the conclusion of the session the
client has fully understood all the information provided and has no
further questions.
You must always inform both
parties of the reason for the intervention.
After
the Session:
Repeat Back: Ask the client to check back to assure they have understood
and check the Client has no further questions
Invoicing: You should fill in the details of the session on the invoice
template (this is best done before the session)
Time
Sheet: Get the customer to sign the Interpreter Time Sheet. If the
authorised signatory is unavailable then you should make a copy of the
invoice. If a photocopier is not available, use a new template and copy the
details. The Customer should then take the original invoice and process it
by passing it to the authorised signatory to sign and then send it on to the
relevant finance department. You should keep the copy of the invoice for
your reference.
Booking for future appointments: Customer may want to book you for a
follow up session for the same or another client. Check your availability
before making the appointment.
Good Practice Guidelines II:
Further Guidance
Introduction: These guidelines on sensitivity, impartiality and advocacy,
and special situations are, as the name suggests, only guidelines. Therefore you
will find that during the interpreting session there will be circumstances when
the best course of action is not obvious. In these situations you are encouraged
to inform the Customer and seek advice.
Sensitivity: The interpreter should be aware of, and be sensitive to, the
factors that vary among individuals and groups, and therefore are relevant to
the delivery of and use of Health and Social Services. This is practically
important, as a substantial proportion of the client group encountered by the
interpreter is likely to be isolated and socially disadvantaged. These include:
-
Experiences of racism and/or
other forms of discrimination
-
Previous negative
experiences of the Health and Social Services
-
Beliefs about the causes of,
and treatments for illness
-
Attitudes to illness in
general, and in particular disorders
-
Problems encountered by
refugees and recent migrants
-
Negative attitudes (stigma)
to particular conditions e.g. mental illness or procedures for example
compulsory admission to hospitals under the Mental Health Order.
-
Fear of death
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Financial and other social
problems
-
Fear of attack and
victimisation in everyday life
-
Other stressful situations
Impartiality and Advocacy: Community Interpreting is the advocacy approach
to interpreting, and some aspects of the interpreters work will involve elements
of advocacy. However, sessional interpreters are not employed as full time
advocacy workers and should be careful not to take on the extra responsibilities
of such a role. The following is provided as guidance as to the role of the
Community Interpreter:
Do
not speak for the client : The interpreter should resist any
temptation of speaking for the client, nor plead their case. This does not
prevent the interpreter reminding clients of their rights or questions they
wanted to ask.
Clarify
Words and Terminology: The interpreter must make every attempt to clarify
the meanings of words or terminology used by the Customer or the client when
these are unfamiliar, or where exact equivalents are not available. (It is
always safer to acknowledge ignorance.)
Subconscious Messages: Information may be conveyed to the interpreter by way
of indirect, discrete, unconscious or unclear messages and disclosures
(either verbally or non-verbally) by the client or Customer. In this case
the interpreter should confirm whether this is to be conveyed. This can be
achieved through asking for clarification.
Do
not set yourself up as a cultural expert: The interpreter must be
sensitive to the possibility of ‘setting herself or himself up’ as a
cultural expert. When the Customer shows curiosity or surprise on a specific
matter the interpreter may inform her or him of systems within the client’s
culture that underpin her or his statements or behaviour. The interpreter’s
personal view of such systems must not be allowed to intrude on the
interpreting session, nor must the interpreter stereotype.
Advice
giving: The interpreter’s task is not to provide advice or counselling to
the client. This is often the task of the Customer. If the client asks the
interpreter for advice they can signpost the client to appropriate support
organisations or agencies.
Role
Boundaries: The interpreter is not a Social Worker or Community Worker and
should not allow herself or himself to be used in these roles.
Consent: The interpreter should be aware that consent is a paramount issue
and process in examination, treatment, or care and all areas of medicine.
The client has a right to choose after being fully informed.
-
The client may not
consent to a particular procedure or consent may be withdrawn at any
stage thereafter.
-
The consent of the
client to is of particular relevance to those who have been detained
under the Mental Health Order.
Medical
and Psychiatric Procedures: The interpreter should not allow
herself or himself to take sides when it becomes clear that the client is
resistant to a medical or psychiatric procedure. However in these circumstances
the interpreter can remind the client of their rights to consent.
Children’s Rights: The interpreter should respect the rights of the
parents of children who are clients to be involved in care and decisions, but
under the Children’s (NI) Order 1995 must understand that the rights of the
child are paramount.
Impact
of Client Experience: The interpreter should be aware that a non-English
speaking person may have been exposed to insult, stereotyping by others,
exclusion by discrimination, and to being ‘put down’ because of ‘racial’
difference (racism). All these factors may be of significance in the assessment
of a medical condition by the Customer or to the willingness of the client to be
assessed and treated. The interpreter should respect the client’s right to raise
concerns on these matters.
Challenging Racism: In your special role of interpreting between ethnic
groups, you may encounter situations of racism or other forms of discrimination.
If you believe this is evident this may raise important issues concerning the
rights of the client and should be dealt with in the following manner.
Verbal Challenge: Minor incidents of
racism or cultural insensitivity can be dealt with by a verbal challenge. You
should work to your own judgement in each case.
Termination of Interview: You
have the right to terminate the interview if there is a serious incident of
racial abuse. You should make it clear why you are doing so, but are not obliged
to translate abuse unless the client specifically asks what was said. All such
incidents must be reported to the relevant person.
Diet,
Religious and Cultural Requirements: When relevant
you should consult with the client and inform the Customer on relevant matters
of dietary restrictions and preferences and any other crucial matters, for
example essential religious observance, personal care.
Special
Situations
Client right to Object to an Interpreter: You should respect the right
of the client to object to you as the interpreter for the session. The
client may raise this objection at any time. When this occurs, you should
ask the client to give a reason for the objection and inform the Customer of
this and seek advice.
Gender Considerations: You may find that a female patient may be
reluctant to share information with a male interpreter (or vice versa), but
will not say this openly. An awareness of this possibility should prompt you
to make enquiries into this matter.
Client Complaints: The interpreter should respect the right of the
client to complain about the procedure of the interview, the way the medical
system is organised, or other matters.
Confidentiality / conflicts of interest in legal cases: An interpreter
who has interpreted for a client in a Health and Social Services appointment
and is subsequently asked to interpret in a court or legal scenario should
declare this to those requesting the interpreting. In all cases the
interpreter should observe confidentiality to the client.
Client Travel Arrangements: Clients are responsible for their own
transportation to and from the place of the appointment. In special
circumstances (for example, elderly, mobility) interpreters can assist with
making travel arrangements as part of preparation time. This could involve
calling a taxi (for which the client, not the interpreter, will pay.) It is
recommended that interpreters do not transport the client to and from
appointments. If an interpreter decides to do this she or he should ensure
insurance cover for this.
Non
Response from Client: The interpreter may have to deal with
circumstances when the client is refusing to talk or respond to questions in
an interview. In these circumstances the interpreter should share
information with the Customer on this and take guidance from them.
Specialist Medical areas:
The
interpreter should be aware of the special problems likely to be experienced by
a Customer in counselling a client on Genetic Disorders. Examples of these are
sickle cell Anaemia, Thalassaemia and Down’s Syndrome. When such counselling is
to be carried out the interpreter should clarify whether the spouse or other
relative or carer is to be present.
If during a
session the subject matter becomes considerably more complex than anticipated
the interpreter should consider professional limitation and if necessary arrange
to have the session rescheduled with another interpreter.
The
interpreter may become involved in an interpreting session that arises from the
medical psychiatric effects of abuse. This may involve physical, sexual or
racist attack. In these instances the interpreter should make special efforts to
remain neutral.
The
interpreter may be involved in procedures under the Mental Health (NI) Order
1996. In such circumstances the interpreter should be aware of the issues and
procedures in relation to the Order.
Special
difficulties will be encountered in the task of providing interpreting skills
for the patient who is ‘confused’ because of head injury or for some other
reason. In these circumstances the interpreter should approach the task with
particular care and caution.
Please use the links on
the
HELP
page for more information and support.
Acknowledgement:
This Good Practice Guidelines was drawn
together from a number of sources in literature and Codes of Practice used by
other services such as National Register of Public Service Interpreters;
Chartered Institute of Linguists; Fife Community Interpreting Service; Glasgow
Interpreting Service; Newcastle and North Tyneside Health Authority Interpreter
Service; Newham Language Shop, London; Scottish Translation, Interpreting and
Communication Forum and Sussex Interpreting Service.
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