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The Role of the Register and

Regulator

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TRAFUT WorkshopLessius University College

Antwerpen, Belgium 20 October 2012

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National Register of Public Service

Interpreters (NRPSI)

Jessica Myint Thinn Executive Director

NRPSI

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Interpreting profession in the UK Constellation professional entities which are

independent but interdependent of each other

Educational Bodies

Membership Organizations

Trades Unions

Service Providers

Practitioners

Regulator

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Examples of interpreting organizations:

Association of Police and Court Interpreters (APCI) Chartered Institute of Linguists (CIOL) Institute of Translation and Interpreting (ITI ) Society of Official Metropolitan Interpreters (SOMI) Society for Public Service Interpreting (SPSI) National Union of Professional Interpreters and

Translators (NUPIT) Professional Interpreters’ Alliance (PIA)

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What is the National Register of Public Service Interpreters

(NRPSI)? NRPSI is the UK’s

independent voluntary regulator for the interpreting profession

Protecting the public while promoting and maintaining best practice standards is at our core

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NRPSI and Europe NRPSI plays a key role in fulfilling

the requirements of Articles 5 and 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) - ‘the right to be informed in a language one understands of the reasons for arrest’ and

‘the right to a fair trial, incorporating the right to have the free assistance of an interpreter’

NRPSI supports the implementation of European Commission Directive 2010/64/EU, on ‘the Right to Interpretation and Translation in Criminal Proceedings’

–To transpose by October 2013 ?

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NRPSI was originally set up in 1994 in response

to: The multi-lingual nature of modern Britain

Public services’ need to provide access to all irrespective of language barriers

Risks arising to public services and their clients from employing unqualified and unaccountable interpreters

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NRPSI further changed in 2011

NRPSI became independent from the Chartered Institute of Linguists (CIOL) in April 2011 to fulfill its role as an independent voluntary regulator

A company limited by guarantee with a board of lay and interpreter members

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NRPSI’s role as a regulator Protect the consumer interest, the citizen

interest, and the public interest

Ensure that good standards within the profession are consistently maintained for the benefit of the public and interpreters alike

Promote the use of only registered professional interpreters

Work with other interpreting organizations to ensure continual improvement and sustainability of the interpreting profession

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NRPSI’s responsibilities as a regulator

Prescribe or ‘recognize’ the qualifications needed to become a professional interpreter

Maintain the UK Register of interpreters

Ensure that interpreters meet our standards for conduct and practice (Registrants are subject to a Code of Professional Conduct)

Investigate complaints about an interpreter’s conduct or competence

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Interpreters on the Register Number of Interpreters Registered: Over 2,200

Number of Languages: 101

Specialities: Law Health Local Government

Three levels of admission: Full Status Interim Status Rare Language Category

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Who can Join the Register? Minimum age of 18 years

No maximum age limit but must be physically able to do the work

Eligible to work in the UK Must meet criteria for entry Must provide a valid

security clearance Must abide by the Code of

Professional Conduct

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Code of Professional Conduct NRPSI issues a code of conduct for professional

interpreters and keeps it under review

The code is intended as guidance for interpreters to ensure best practice in their professional lives

NRPSI can and does take action through our disciplinary procedures against those who fall short of the code’s standards

This ensures that the integrity of the profession is maintained, and employers can be confident in hiring a registered interpreter

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Who uses the National Register?The Register is available free online and can be accessed by anyone needing language support services. Examples:

Criminal JusticePolice Authorities Local GovernmentHealth ServicesSolicitorsCharitiesPublic

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Benefits of being on the Register

Demonstrated interpreter’s commitment to professional standards

Guarantee of quality assurance to clients

Guarantee of accountability to clients

Interpreter's details are available on the online Register for potential client contact or confirmation of registration

Over 30,000 searches for interpreters a month are made on our on-line Register

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Using a Registered Interpreter can ensure: Confidence in receiving high standard interpreting

service from a qualified professional interpreter

Assurance of accountability if the interpreter’s conduct fall below standards

Peace of mind from working with an interpreter who is professionally competent

Protection against unqualified, incompetent and unreliable interpreters

Prevention from wastage of valuable time and additional costs

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Future of NRPSI To better perform its existing services and

develop its scope to fulfill a regulatory role To recognize continuing professional

development (CPD) programmes e.g. video conference interpreting and etc.

To ensure appropriate professional indemnity insurance (PII) is in place

To monitor whole profession including activities of service providers

To collaborate and work with partner organizations

To share knowledge and lessons learnt e.g. harmonization and interlinking of standards

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We are stronger together! Only with the support and collaboration of our

colleagues, can we work to establish and maintain sustainable development of the interpreting profession.

Interpreters Clients of interpreting and language support

services Public services (police, courts, health

services, local authorities & etc.) National interpreting organizations European and international interpreting

organizations Government (s)

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Thank youNational Register of Public Service Interpreters

(NRPSI)

Further information:

Website: www.nrpsi.co.uk

Email: admin@nrpsi.co.uk

Tel: +44 (0) 20 7940 3166

Jessica Myint Thinn

jessica@nrpsi.co.uk

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