So today, I’ve got something that’s a bit boring to tell you, but please don’t go away! Sometimes the boring things in life are really important.
Actually, when I was told about this, my brain went to sleep, and then it suddenly woke up and went “WHAT?!”… so I thought it was important to share.
To watch this article in BSL, click play below.
Today’s subject of great importance is…
The National Framework Agreement, which most people haven’t heard of.
So what’s it about? It’s from Crown Commercial Services, which is the Government department which sells big contracts to provide Government services.
What’s this got to do with Deaf people?
Interpreting!
The Government wants a big interpreting contract to cover the whole of the UK, with all interpreters provided by one or two companies.
This covers everything. It could affect Access to Work, the NHS, courts, the police, social work, education – everything.
Did you know about this? If not, why not? It seems a weird kind of thing to keep a secret.
But maybe it’s a good thing?
Perhaps you think having all interpreters provided by a big contract would be a good idea; a nice and tidy, simple solution?
Not so.
I’ve been told that the draft specifications say that “interpreters” should have Levels 1-3 BSL!
They must be joking – people with Level 1 BSL often struggle to discuss their favourite colours, never mind interpret at NHS appointments!
Also, apparently it doesn’t say that interpreters have to be NRCPD registered, meaning they won’t be properly qualified or anything.
So, we’re looking at untrained, unqualified basic signers being brought in to interpret all over the UK… and we didn’t know this!?
It’s all supposed to start in February 2015.
Why is this happening?
To save money, of course! We all know how much our Government loves doing that!
So, what next?!
I honestly don’t know.
I’m hoping that deaf / interpreting organisations are going to tell me that they’re challenging this and sorting it out…
Jen Dodds is a Contributing Editor for The Limping Chicken. When she’s not looking after chickens or children, Jen can be found translating, proofreading and editing stuff over at Team HaDo Ltd (teamhado.com). On Twitter, Jen is @deafpower.
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Ramon Woolfe
December 9, 2014
So called novices who assume that they would be delivering a decent interpretation with just the minimal levels needs to be rebuked and realise the consequences, it is up to the consumer and the provider and the appointed person to concur that this is unacceptable. We should not be complacent and allow them to undertake such assignments. Have you ever complained after a poor service? If not then why not?
Dan Sumners (@sumnersdan)
December 9, 2014
The latest version of the specification was released ysterday. Whilst it still lists qualification levels from 1, it does now state interpreters should be registered with NRCPD, NRPSI or equivalent. That’s clearly a contradiction, and NRCPD will be working with the CCS to refine the specification.
David Buxton
December 9, 2014
The BDA has already written a formal letter to the minister over the draft national framework agreement several weeks ago and I got a letter from the minister yesterday that he will look into this etc
I will be meeting senior civil servants at the DWP and ODI this morning so I just emailed them about your article and minister letter that I want this to be added to the meeting agenda
Finally I also alerted the chair of APPGD and key member of the government about this.
lesley
December 9, 2014
New to me but on searching it appears NRCPD and UKCOD have known about this since May !
lesley
December 9, 2014
Oh great I now find out BDA knew too, it appears consumers are no longer important enough to consult anymore!
Jen Dodds (@deafpower)
December 9, 2014
It is slightly better, yes, Dan. BUT IT IS STILL APPALLING.
Whoever wrote it clearly has no idea about the relationship between qualifications and registration… i.e. simple things like how people with basic Level 1 BSL cannot register as qualified interpreters!
They also randomly threw in things like “lipspeakers” and “finger spelling”! Under BSL/English interpreting….!
deaf2work
December 9, 2014
I first became aware of it through this article in October 2014 – http://www.nubsli.com/nub-posts/new-framework-agreement.php – but since then there have been surprisingly very little discussion on the social media about it, considering the magnitude of its implications. Are there any links to this draft specifications? We do need to know what is being proposed in finer details. Much thanks
Tim
December 9, 2014
It won’t save money, though, will it? Making expensive interpreting mistakes in hospital or in court, for example, will cost a lot more to put right in the long run.
Such a system rewards bad interpreters and punishes good ones. Sometimes you have to spend money to save money.
Alison France
December 9, 2014
Check out the links:
https://ccs.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/contracts/rm738
https://ccs.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/sites/default/files/contracts/Face%20to%20Face%20Guidance%20Notes.pdf
https://ccs.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/suppliers?sm_field_contract_id=RM738%2A
Timothy
December 9, 2014
Please correct me if I am wrong but I thought ALS was covering the interpreting contract for the Ministry of Justice?
Access to Work is already cutting costs in anyway it can from reducing staff to reducing hours of support so if this goes through then it will spell a lot of trouble for professionals who know what they need to work with in order to keep their jobs.
Its getting ridiculous and I always moot the example below to hearing professionals who don’t really understand what they are working with:
“You wake up in hospital in a foreign country after having an accident and you are greeted by doctors babbling away in their tongue and beside you is a “translator” and they speak to you in broken English missing out vital information about the surgery you received whilst you were knocked out”. I give them a few seconds to absorb and then say would you not be angry nor upset that you have someone relaying piecemeal information? Well this is what you do to a deaf person if you give them a “signer” who is unqualified and untrained to deal with such scenarios. Sometimes it works and sometimes I get a response which is along the lines of “its better than nothing” which still sickens me to this day….
P Donovan
December 9, 2014
Can we find a legal challenge whereby this doesn’t get ratified before the general election? A new government could mean a chance to re negotiate
Timothy
December 10, 2014
Quoted from the NHS constitution
Right
“You have the right to be treated with a professional standard of care, by appropriately qualified and experienced staff, in a properly approved or registered organisation that meets required levels of safety and quality.”
(Section 3a of the NHS Constitution)
This can be found here: http://www.nhs.uk/choiceintheNHS/Rightsandpledges/NHSConstitution/Documents/2013/handbook-to-the-nhs-constitution.pdf
I think you have a legal challenge right there.
Jason Bell
December 9, 2014
Capita bought ALS out a couple of years ago I believe and now have the MOJFWA contract which they do subcontract for. Crown Commercial Services are an executive agency of the cabinet office tasked with ensuring ‘maximum value is extracted from every commercial relationship’. So effectively they operate almost independently from the Govt. I’m not sure a change in Govt at this point would stop the process as the CCS business unit will still carry on with it’s tasking.
karen butler
December 10, 2014
Wow how stupid expecting level two to be interpreters. Im a level two and i know i dont have the experience to be an lnterpreter for the things that have been listed. I can cconverse with deaf but thats it….
Liz
December 12, 2014
Exactly my point too. I’ve just finished level 3. I’m pretty confident I can have conversation with a Deaf person on pretty much any topic. But there’s no way I’d be in a position to interpret anything. I’m hoping to become an interpreter in the future & these developments are really worrying. I know I’ve got a long way to go before l get to the point where I’m ready but I’m committed to the study (and mega bucks) to get there. Hope there’s something worth it at the end.