Jobcentre Plus: Interpreters and Sign
Language
Department for Work and
Pensions written question – answered on 3rd October 2019.
Paul Farrelly Labour, Newcastle-under-Lyme
To ask the Secretary of
State for Work and Pensions, what estimate she has made of the proportion of
Job Centre Plus offices that have (a) British Sign Language and (b) language
interpreters.
Mims Davies The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work and
Pensions
Under the Equality Act 2010,
DWP must make suitable provision to communicate with claimants who do not speak
English or Welsh (for people residing in Wales), or who are deaf, hard of
hearing or speech impaired.
It is DWP policy to use an
interpreter when we need to communicate with a claimant who:
- cannot communicate adequately in English (or, in Wales, Welsh);
- has complex needs and, or may need additional support; and
- cannot provide their own interpreter.
Since the 1st January
2018 Thebigword has provided Foreign Language and British Sign Language (BSL)
services for the DWP staff and customers. All Jobcentres are able to access the
service provided by Thebigword.
The services available for
BSL are face to face interpreting and Video Relay Service. The services
available for foreign language interpreters are face to face interpreting,
telephone interpreting and written translations.
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