AtW correct their guidance about interpreters and CSWs
27th December 2016
AtW guidance about interpreters and CSWs was unclear, and in some ways just wrong. This made it harder for advisers to talk to Deaf people about the services they said they needed, and made it more difficult to get the right decision about whether they needed interpreting and/or CSWs. (For example, sometimes advisers said that a CSW could be used for telephone interpreting, because it was 'easier' than face to face interpreting).
Stop the Changes, NUBSLI, NRCPD and DeafATW contacted the DWP to raise our concerns, and suggested where guidance could be made more accurate.
The DWP tested the corrected guidance, and have told DeafATW that all AtW advisers are now using the corrected guidance. (The AtW guidance on the internet hasn’t yet been updated yet, but we’ve been told it will be).
DeafATW thinks the new section is much clearer about:
It also says in several places, that the adviser must ask the Deaf person what kind of support (registered interpreter, trainee interpreter, and/or CSW) meets their needs. This is a real improvement.
This will make it easier for you to talk to advisers properly about what support you need, and to challenge AtW if they get it wrong.
The new section of the guidance is below.
You can also click here to download the new section, and click here to download a copy of the old section, so you can compare them.
AtW guidance about interpreters and CSWs was unclear, and in some ways just wrong. This made it harder for advisers to talk to Deaf people about the services they said they needed, and made it more difficult to get the right decision about whether they needed interpreting and/or CSWs. (For example, sometimes advisers said that a CSW could be used for telephone interpreting, because it was 'easier' than face to face interpreting).
Stop the Changes, NUBSLI, NRCPD and DeafATW contacted the DWP to raise our concerns, and suggested where guidance could be made more accurate.
The DWP tested the corrected guidance, and have told DeafATW that all AtW advisers are now using the corrected guidance. (The AtW guidance on the internet hasn’t yet been updated yet, but we’ve been told it will be).
DeafATW thinks the new section is much clearer about:
- what interpreting is,
- registration with the NRCPD,
- the difference between registered and trainee interpreters, and
- Communication Support Workers.
It also says in several places, that the adviser must ask the Deaf person what kind of support (registered interpreter, trainee interpreter, and/or CSW) meets their needs. This is a real improvement.
This will make it easier for you to talk to advisers properly about what support you need, and to challenge AtW if they get it wrong.
The new section of the guidance is below.
You can also click here to download the new section, and click here to download a copy of the old section, so you can compare them.
The new guidance about interpreters and CSWs (from December 2016)
27th December 2016
Registered and Trainee Sign Language Interpreters
87. Having the ability to use two languages does not mean someone can interpret. Interpreting is a skill that requires training and experience.
88. A Trainee Sign Language Interpreter (TSLI) is on the path to becoming an interpreter, a Communication Support Worker is not.
89. A TSLI is a Trainee Sign Language Interpreter.
90. Sign language interpreters transfer meaning from one spoken or signed language into another signed or spoken language.
91. Customers requiring sign language interpretation will usually require a BSL/English interpreter. British Sign Language (BSL) is a language in its own right. It is not a signed form of English.
92. NRCPD Registered Sign Language Interpreters (RSLIs) have level 6 qualifications in both their second language, such as BSL, and interpreting.
93. An NRCPD regulated TSLI may be suitable for some assignments. You MUST check with the customer to make sure their needs can be met by a TSLI.
94. If it is impossible to engage an RSLI or TSLI, you must make sure the interpreter holds
Communication support workers
95. The term communication support worker (CSW) refers to people who use a variety of methods to help deaf and deaf/blind people access communication. CSWs are not interpreters.
96. CSWs are not interpreters, their role is to support claimants to access communication in English, using a wide range of techniques (e.g. notetaking/rewriting emails).
97. Most CSWs have some ability in BSL, up to level 3. However, this is not a requirement in order to receive AtW funding.
98. You should check with the claimant to make sure their individual needs can be met by a CSW.
Deciding what support is required
99. A sign language interpreter should be used in a situation which calls solely or mainly for interpretation.
100. Ask the customer if their needs require an RSLI, a TSLI or a CSW.
101. A sign language interpreter should be used for situations in which clear and accurate communication is essential, such as
102. A CSW MAY be appropriate for
Registered and Trainee Sign Language Interpreters
87. Having the ability to use two languages does not mean someone can interpret. Interpreting is a skill that requires training and experience.
88. A Trainee Sign Language Interpreter (TSLI) is on the path to becoming an interpreter, a Communication Support Worker is not.
89. A TSLI is a Trainee Sign Language Interpreter.
- They intend to become a sign language interpreter.
- They have been assessed by a qualified assessor or verifier as meeting the National Occupational Standards for Trainee Interpreters:
- Level 6 (equivalent to Bachelor's degree) ability in their first language (usually English).
- Level 4 (equivalent to certificate of higher education) ability in their second language (usually BSL).
- Sufficient interpreter training or experience to be aware of developing professional competence boundaries.
- They are either on an NRCPD approved course or are working to an approved development plan that will lead to registration with NRCPD.
- CSWs do not have training in interpreting
90. Sign language interpreters transfer meaning from one spoken or signed language into another signed or spoken language.
91. Customers requiring sign language interpretation will usually require a BSL/English interpreter. British Sign Language (BSL) is a language in its own right. It is not a signed form of English.
92. NRCPD Registered Sign Language Interpreters (RSLIs) have level 6 qualifications in both their second language, such as BSL, and interpreting.
93. An NRCPD regulated TSLI may be suitable for some assignments. You MUST check with the customer to make sure their needs can be met by a TSLI.
- TSLIs must not work in the criminal justice system or mental health settings.
- TSLIs should exercise caution when accepting work in a social care setting.
- The customer should ask the TSLI if NRCPD has placed further restrictions on the assignments they can take on.
94. If it is impossible to engage an RSLI or TSLI, you must make sure the interpreter holds
- the qualification(s) required for NRCPD registration;
- appropriate insurance; and
- an enhanced disclosure form.
Communication support workers
95. The term communication support worker (CSW) refers to people who use a variety of methods to help deaf and deaf/blind people access communication. CSWs are not interpreters.
96. CSWs are not interpreters, their role is to support claimants to access communication in English, using a wide range of techniques (e.g. notetaking/rewriting emails).
97. Most CSWs have some ability in BSL, up to level 3. However, this is not a requirement in order to receive AtW funding.
98. You should check with the claimant to make sure their individual needs can be met by a CSW.
Deciding what support is required
99. A sign language interpreter should be used in a situation which calls solely or mainly for interpretation.
100. Ask the customer if their needs require an RSLI, a TSLI or a CSW.
101. A sign language interpreter should be used for situations in which clear and accurate communication is essential, such as
- appraisals
- disciplinary meetings
- legal meetings, such as a tribunal or court hearing
- most training sessions, and
- conferences on an unknown or technical subject.
102. A CSW MAY be appropriate for
- team meetings
- basic training, and
- conferences on a known subject.
AtW guidance - no longer use version numbers
5th December 2016
When AtW updated the guidance, they used to change the version number.
They have now stopped doing this, instead they have a list of the dates the guidance has been changed, and sometimes say what the main changes are.
Click here to see the dates and changes. You need to click +full page history on the left of the page to see the list of dates and changes.
If you are asking AtW to reconsider, or you are complaiing, it can be important to check if the guidance was changed, and what has changed, because that may affect your reconsideration or complaint.
(NB not all of the previous changes are listed. There were at least 26 versions, but this page only lists 6 updates).
When AtW updated the guidance, they used to change the version number.
They have now stopped doing this, instead they have a list of the dates the guidance has been changed, and sometimes say what the main changes are.
Click here to see the dates and changes. You need to click +full page history on the left of the page to see the list of dates and changes.
If you are asking AtW to reconsider, or you are complaiing, it can be important to check if the guidance was changed, and what has changed, because that may affect your reconsideration or complaint.
(NB not all of the previous changes are listed. There were at least 26 versions, but this page only lists 6 updates).
What AtW Guidance v24 says about being self-employed, travel, etc. Download below:
30 July 2014
Below you'll find the information about different things to do with Communication Support taken from AtW Guidance V 24. Key information is highlighted. This should make it easier to challenge AtW Advisers and ask for Reconsideration if you have been told something that clearly is different from the Guidance.
1) Guidance on being Employed or Self Employed
2) Guidance on Communication Support for Interviews
3) Payment for cancelled Communication Support
4) Reconsideration / Review process. Also sometimes referred to as complaint process.
5) Guidance about funding Communication Support, Equality Act, and contacting employers.
6) Guidance about how to decide skills and experience needed of interpreters.
7) Guidance around using NoteTakers Lipspeaker Palantypist
8) Guidance on Working abroad
Below you'll find the information about different things to do with Communication Support taken from AtW Guidance V 24. Key information is highlighted. This should make it easier to challenge AtW Advisers and ask for Reconsideration if you have been told something that clearly is different from the Guidance.
1) Guidance on being Employed or Self Employed
2) Guidance on Communication Support for Interviews
3) Payment for cancelled Communication Support
4) Reconsideration / Review process. Also sometimes referred to as complaint process.
5) Guidance about funding Communication Support, Equality Act, and contacting employers.
6) Guidance about how to decide skills and experience needed of interpreters.
7) Guidance around using NoteTakers Lipspeaker Palantypist
8) Guidance on Working abroad