Booking the right professional
When you're booking a communication professional you will need to be clear about the services you need. You can learn more about the various services registered communication professionals can provide by clicking here. The best way to be sure which service is needed is to ask the deaf people involved.
You'll need to provide some information so registered professionals can decide whether they are able to undertake the assignment:
- What is the format and subject matter of the assignment. Job interview, training course, meeting, hospital appointment, etc
- Where and when will the assignment take place and how long will it last?
- How many people will be involved and do any of the participants have any specific requirements or requests
Some professionals are booked up for several weeks, so where ever possible it is advisable to secure services as far in advance as possible. In short-notice or emergency situations, it is advisable to be as flexible as possible with times and location.
Courts and police
Since January 2002, a National Agreement between police, courts, and other legal agencies has been in force. For criminal cases in England and Wales, legal agencies will try to use only the services of Members of the Register, and in the case of spoken language interpreters, Members of the National Register of Public Service Interpreters (NRPSI). You can view the National Agreement on Interpreters in the Criminal Justice System at the Home Office Police website.