Code of Practice and Ethics

Our Code of Practice and Ethics

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 and ethics which conforms to nationally agreed standards of performance and professional conduct.  Our Interpreters are also expected to attend our inhouse training on safeguarding and privacy policy.

It is the duty of interpreters to make sure they are registered with the HMRC and pay their own NI contributions and their tax. Multilingua is bound by HMRC regulations to quarterly report the names of all interpreters working for us in that particular period.
 
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.

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