NRCPD to publish open letter amid concerns over complaints process

The NRCPD, who voluntarily regulate British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters, is to address the Deaf community in an open letter next week, amid concerns over its complaints process.

Both BSL interpreters and Deaf people criticised the charity for its investigations into alleged malpractice from communication professionals, with the latest ruling on its website concerning a complaint filed in April 2021.

The case, closed in October, reads: “[The] complainant raised concerns around a remote lecture assignment [on] 22 March. […] The Complainant had co-ordinated and was delivering the lecture. The Complainant was a BSL user, as were several of the students in attendance.

“Allegations include that the Registrant logged in 15 minutes late, declaring they had not prepared and were drunk. The Registrant could not decipher what was being signed and left without explanation a few minutes after the lecture started.”

In their conclusion, NRCPD case examiners wrote there was a “realistic prospect of finding an impairment to fitness to practice”, but said it was “not in the public interest” to refer the matter to the complaints committee.

They said: “The Case Examiners view in relation to impairment was that whilst the situation became disrespectful due to the impairment from alcohol, they did not believe this disrespect was intended.

“In reaching their decision around whether it was in the public interest to refer this case to the Complaints Committee, the Case Examiners concluded that it was sadly regrettable human error that had resulted in the Registrant failing to add the booking to their diary.

“They noted that the character references provided by the Registrant supported that this was not the normal standard of conduct for this Registrant, and that all of the character references attest to the Registrants previous professionalism, skill and that they are seen as a role model for other colleagues.”

The NRCPD added the decision “did not dismiss the upset and embarrassment” experienced by the complainant.

Other complaints have also been shared by users online, in which the body ruled it was not in the public interest to escalate the issue further.

Addressing the concerns on Twitter, the NRCPD said: “We will be responding to the points raised via a letter which we will publish on our website in English and BSL next week.

“We also saw a tweet about there being no published complaints outcomes since April 2021 and wanted to assure you that our complaints investigations have continued.”

Thanks to all for your comments about our Complaints Process over the weekend. We will be responding to the points raised via a letter which we will publish on our website in English and BSL next week.

— NRCPD (@NRCPD) April 25, 2022

The organisation went on to reveal that 12 unpublished cases have concluded, with one sent to their complaints committee.

“We apologise that this has not been kept up-to-date, however an increase in complaints and issues with staff availability meant investigation was a higher priority than publication.

“Protecting the public remains our utmost priority, we have never ceased investigating complaints and we will bring the record up-to-date in the next few days,” they said.

Photo: NRCPD.

By Liam O’Dell. Liam is an award-winning Deaf freelance journalist and campaigner from Bedfordshire. He can be found talking about disability, theatre, politics and more on Twitter and on his website.