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Ministry of Justice: Interpreters

Question for Ministry of Justice

UIN 899, tabled on 12 May 2021

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, who provides the specific training course for interpreters to join his Department's register; whether that course is endorsed by a professional body; and whether the course content is standardised regardless of previous qualifications.

Answered on

21 May 2021

The Ministry of Justice (MOJ) is committed to ensuring the justice system is supported by a suite of high- quality language service contracts, that meet the needs of all those who require interpreters.

The MOJ does not directly employ interpreters. The MOJ commissions the services of suitably qualified interpreters through its contracted service providers, thebigword and Clarion Interpreting.

All interpreters regardless of qualifications are required to complete an induction programme. This is not an accredited piece of learning. It was created by the MOJ and The International School of Linguists (ISL) and is hosted by ISL for thebigword to meet the requirements of the MOJ.

The hours of experience required varies according to the complexity and type of language. This information is set out and can be found in the contract via the following link

https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/975cb99e-fec6-430f-8f31-fd532a907137?p=@=UFQxblRRPT0=NjJNT08

A table showing the hours of experience required by qualification can be found below:

Qualifications

Experience required

Complexity level

Enrolled on a Level 1, two-to-four week, course

100 hours of Interpretation Services in the relevant language

Standard

Level 1 public service interpreting (PSI) qualified

No minimum hours required

Standard

Level 2 PSI qualified

No minimum hours required

Standard

Level 3 PSI qualified

No minimum hours required

Standard

Level 4 PSI qualified

No minimum hours required

Standard

Those without any form of public service qualification but have degree level qualifications in other disciplines such as philology and linguistics

100 hours of Interpretation Services in the relevant language

Complex

Level 6 PSI qualified

No minimum hours required

Complex / Complex Written (DPSI Health & Lov Govt although Level 6, are only authorised for Complex; DPSI Law, DPI (Diploma in Police Interpreting) & DCI (Diploma in Community Interpreting ISL) are Complex Written)

Of the 59 language professionals who failed spot checks, three of the language professionals had two checks for different languages, so we have provided 62 results. Below is a table which breaks down the level of qualification the language professionals had to enable them to appear on the register prior to the spot checks.

Qualification Level

Number of language professionals

Level 3

2

Level 6

39

Level 7

5

Basic interpreting, rare language or Partial qualification

16