Our translation services - quality

Quality control

We continue to work hard to raise the quality of service. A custom designed database system is now in place to enable us to deal with bookings more efficiently. Internal customers can place on-line bookings.

We recruit new interpreters bi-annually. To join our register all candidates are interviewed as to their understanding of the principles of our service and their experience.

Interpreters undertake a role play where they are language-assessed by an external assessor to test their mother tongue skills and assessed by a TIS coordinator for their English and interpreting skills.

We require a very broad vocabulary in both mother tongue and English in order to appoint candidates to our register.

Translators and interpreters are also encouraged to converse and read newspapers/magazines in their mother tongue to maintain their language skills.

We offer regular training sessions with presentations from service providers to help interpreters understand the organisational context within which they are working, and to improve their language glossaries of the terminology and jargon used by service providers.

We take sanctions against translators and interpreters for repeat lateness.

Service satisfaction

Every assignment is accompanied by an interpreting monitoring form (pdf, 84 KB) (opens new window) asking for feedback on quality. Any assignments with poor feedback will be investigated by the TIS; please use the complaints and grievance form (pdf, 21 KB) (opens new window). Praise is relayed to the Translators and Interpreters and overall monitoring information is evaluated annually: Satisfaction with the Interpreting Service 2009-10 (pdf, 87 KB) (opens new window).

Security checks

All interpreters must undergo an enhanced Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check before they can be entered on our database of practising interpreters.

Our security checks also ensure that appointed interpreters have the legal right to work in the UK.

Interpreting and translation qualifications

National Register of Public Service Interpreters (NRPSI)

As well as our own register of interpreters, who are trained and vetted, we also subscribe to the National Register of Public Service Interpreters enabling us to have immediate access to an up to date register of interpreters. NRPSI interpreters charge higher rates than our own registered interpreters but we discuss these with the customer prior to confirming bookings.

BSL Interpreter Qualification

British Sign Language interpreting is formalised and can be undertaken via NVQ or degree qualifications. There are specific qualifications needed for trainee interpreters and an additional specialist post-graduate qualification need for registered interpreters. We can advise on relevant skill levels needed for BSL assignments.