The National Registers of Communications Professionals working with Deaf and Deafblind People (NRCPD) has expressed concerns about the Ministry of Justice’s second generation contract for language services after its failure to confirm it will make registration a requirement.
In response to a letter from Jim Edwards, chief executive of Signature, to Shailesh Vara MP, Minister for the Courts and Legal Aid, Policy Manager Nick Peel said: “I am unable to specifically confirm the continuation of the requirement for NRCPD registration.”
Mr Peel went on to say: “However, the Ministry remains fully committed to ensuring the standards of interpreting in supporting individuals during court proceedings, whilst providing a sustainable service that delivers value for money to the taxpayer.”
Under the terms of the agreement on the arrangements for the attendance of interpreters in investigations and proceedings within the criminal justice system, communication and language professionals working with deaf and deafblind people should be registered with NRCPD. Where it is not possible to use a Registrant, professionals should meet standards at least equal to those required for registration.
Jim Edwards said:
“The Ministry of Justice currently has the highest requirements of any Government department in terms of standards for interpretation and translation services. We do hope that doesn’t change in favour of reducing costs.
“Because the role of communication and language professionals is not to ‘support’ deaf and deafblind people during court proceedings – they are essential to making sure justice is done. They provide a service not only to everyone involved, but to the system itself, so that service must be second to none.
“We will therefore seek clarification from the Secretary of State for Justice that he will honour the agreement that has helped to make sure deaf and deafblind people are treated equally before the law.”
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Meriel
June 17, 2015
Surely it is the qualifications that count, not the organisation qualification holders are registered with and in this case,one organisation will be seen as a monopoly which is unacceptable.
Terry
June 17, 2015
it’s the same as Doctors Architects and Solicitors need to be registered with an organisation.Nothing to do with a monopoly!
Newterp
June 17, 2015
There has to be an organisation which checks interpreters actually have the qualifications you refer to
Gloria McGregor
June 18, 2015
I agree with Meriel – qualifications should count. Associations are important too but primarily the question is are you qualified to perform that role?
Terry
June 18, 2015
As Newterp said – “There has to be an organisation which checks interpreters actually have the qualifications you refer to” – and if you do not get the significance of that – the organisation that checks whether people actually have the qualifications is NRCPD. It is not an “Association”. If NRCPD was not there to check the qualifications there would be more and more cowboys around.
QOBF
June 21, 2015
Little too late! NRCDP were too slow to get involved and I reckon that they’re all missed out the opportunity to fight from the start when we asked them. They think business before Deaf people access to right communication! Sad but that what I feels.
What action are NRCDP going to do now to win us back the faith in their organisation?