Multilingua - code of practice

Multilingua’s interpreters are impartial, skilled professionals who will observe strict confidentiality at all times.

All of our interpreters are fully trained and asked to sign up to our code of practice which conforms to nationally agreed standards of performance and professional conduct.

Code of Practice

1) Introduction

Multilingua Devon Community interpreting service (also referred to as 'the service') aims to facilitate communication between Service Providers (also referred to as 'SPs') and members of the linguistic communities, and work to provide wider access and better quality services for black and minority ethnic (BME) communities. Multilingua is as a resource for minority linguistic communities as well as for SPs. Community Interpreters (also referred to as 'CIs') attending assignments on behalf of Multilingua are expected to abide by this Code of Practice, to which they are signatories. The Code sets a framework for interpreting for providers in the public service and voluntary sectors. The objective of the Code of Practice is to make sure that communication across language and culture is carried out consistently, competently and impartially, and that all those involved in the process have clear expectations.

2) Competence

Interpreters appointed by the service are expected to:

be competent speakers of both languages, having a good command of where appropriate, of any specialist terminology
possess the ability to interpret accurately, fluently and appropriately between both languages using the correct techniques
understand the relevant procedures of the particular context in which they are working
have written competence in both languages where required in the interpreting context
maintain and develop their spoken and written command of English and their 'first language'
be familiar with the cultural backgrounds of both parties.

3) Procedure

Interpreters appointed by the service will:

briefly explain to each party how the interpreting process will be conducted; within the boundaries of impartiality and confidentiality

interpret truly and faithfully what is said, without anything being added, omitted or changed; if specifically requested by both parties, a summary may be given in exceptional circumstances
disclose any difficulties encountered with dialects or technical terminology and, if these cannot be satisfactorily resolved, offer to withdraw from the assignment
not enter into the discussion, give advice or express opinions or reactions to any of the parties
intervene only to:-

ask for clarification
point out that a party may not have understood something
alert the parties to a possible missed inference, an inference which has not been stated but the knowledge of which may have been assumed.

ask for accommodation for the interpreting process and inform all parties present of the reason for the intervention
challenge incidents of racism or other forms of discrimination within the context of the service’s Equal Opportunities Policy
present factual information to enable the SP to steer away from action and advice that may be culturally inappropriate or insensitive

inform both the SP and the Client(s) of the reasons for their intervention
not delegate work, nor accept delegated work, but refer the SP and/or the Client back to the service.

declare any prior involvement in any previous meetings relating only to the same case
refer the SP and/or the Client back to the service in cases of complaints and grievances
refrain from entering into any private conversation with either party
be reliable and punctual at all times
notify the service of any delays
ensure that any relevant information and/or paperwork is passed on promptly.

4) Ethical and Professional Issues

Interpreters appointed by the service will:

respect confidentiality at all times and not seek to take advantage of any information disclosed
act in an impartial and professional manner
dress smartly and appropriately
not discriminate against parties, either directly or indirectly, on the grounds of race, colour, ethnic origin, age, nationality, religion, gender, sexuality or disability
disclose any information, including any criminal record, which may make them unsuitable in any particular case
disclose immediately if the interviewee or immediate family is known or related to them
disclose any business, financial, family or other interest which they might have in a case
not accept any form of reward, cash or otherwise, for interpreting work other than payment from the service
not engage in any behaviour likely to discredit Multilingua (including impairment through drugs or alcohol, sexual misconduct, violence, intimidation or abusive behaviour)
safeguard professional standards and offer assistance to other interpreters and translators where reasonable, practical and appropriate
disclose membership of any organisation that may be contrary to the ethics of Multilingua
break confidentiality if they are in the knowledge of any information which indicates a degree of risk, danger or harm towards any individual(s)
abide by the terms of the agreed range of interpreting fees and expenses when accepting an assignment.

Code of Ethics

Interpreters appointed by Multilingua Devon Community and Translation service (also referred to as 'the service') will:

1) Interpret truly and faithfully what is said, to the best of their ability, between the Client and Service Provider, without anything being added, omitted or changed

2) Under no circumstances attempt to alter the content or the context of the interpretation in order to distort the message conveyed by either the Client or the Service Provider

3) Only undertake an engagement which they are competent to accomplish in a satisfactory manner

4) Only work in the language(s) or dialect(s) in which they have informed the service of their competence

5) Always seek to increase their skills and knowledge within the profession and avail themselves to attend the training courses in order to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of their work

6) Observe impartiality while interpreting and ensure that they are, and are seen to be, in a position of neutrality

7) Treat all information that may come to them in the course of their work as confidential; interpreters remain accountable to the Service; confidentiality extends to both the Service Provider Team and the Multilingua team and all confidential information within these teams will be exchanged on a ‘need to know’ basis

8) Not take personal advantage of any information obtained in the course of the work

9) Not delegate work, nor accept delegated work, but refer the Service Provider and/or the Client back to the service

10) Not accept any form of reward, cash or otherwise, for interpreting work other than payment from the service

11) Throw light on cultural factors, beliefs, assumptions and values in both directions in order to improve the acceptability, accuracy and appropriateness of the service

12) Abide by Multilingua Devon community interpreting service’s Code of Practice

13) Work to implement and promote Multilingua Devon community interpreting service’s Equal Opportunities Policy.

Child Protection Policy

Multilingua believes that the organisation has a responsibility to protect children.

We recognise that all members of staff and members of the management committee carry a responsibility towards children and their families, particularly with regard to child protection issues.

We will endeavour to keep children safe from abuse. Any suspicion of abuse will be promptly and appropriately responded to. We will act in the best interest of the child at all times. To achieve this we will:

Ensure that all interpreters have completed a disclosure application to the Criminal Record's Bureau

Obtain references for all interpreters working with children from independent adults who can comment on their ability to work with children

Should any Interpreter have concerns regarding possible child abuse, they should contact Multilingua staff. Any concerns should be passed on.

Multilingua will endeavour to:-

Seek and supply appropriate training for all it's interpreters so that signs of physical, emotional and sexual abuse and neglect are recognised

Respond appropriately to suspicions of abuse

Concerns will be referred to one of the following agencies by the manager of Multilingua Devon:
- Social Services 01392 384900 – emergency duty team 0845 6000388
- Police child protection team
A code of practice for multililingua interpreters is available.