Tiers And Payment | | Linguist Lounge - Interpreting JobsLinguist Lounge

The market conditions surrounding the delivery of public sector interpreting services in the United Kingdom have changed as result of exceptional economic pressures. In the past, interpreters were paid for travel time and travel expenses, which were then passed on to the public service provider. This is no longer the case for the majority of contracts, including the Ministry of Justice’s (MoJ) language services framework agreement with Capita Translation and Interpreting.

Interpreting services are now agreed at set rates, which are paid to interpreting services providers on an hourly basis. Additional costs for travel time and travel expense are not being passed on and will not be paid for by public authorities. This means that apart from a few exceptions, which can be found at the end of this document, they will no longer be paid as standard.

All Criminal Justice Sector (CJS) work carried out within the framework agreement will be coordinated through the new register being hosted by Capita Translation and Interpreting. The elimination of the inefficiency of uncoordinated service delivery will allow interpreters to be assigned to more hours, more effectively.

Details of foreign language interpreting tiers and associated, non-negotiable payment rates are as follows:

PLEASE NOTE THAT Capita DOES PAY FOR WAITING TIME IN COURT, AT THE ASSIGNED TIER RATES.

TIER ONE (£22 per hour)
The interpreter must have one or more of the following:
● Chartered Institute of Linguists Diploma in Public Service Interpreting, DPSI, (English Law Option);
● Chartered Institute of Linguists Certificate in Community Interpreting, CCI;
● Metropolitan Police Test (post 1997) and an Honours Degree or higher in Interpreting.
Or:
● Membership of Institute of Translation and Interpreting to Police Court Interpreter (PCI) level).
Together with:
● At least 100 hours public sector interpreting experience (not restricted to legal interpreting);
● References;
● And, in all cases, a pass at the assessment centre to the Tier One standard.

TIER TWO (£20 per hour)
The interpreter must have one or more of the following:
● ‘Partial DPSI’ i.e. the interpreter must have passed all modules with the exception of written translation;
● A degree in linguistics, English philology, Modern Languages or MA in Teaching of English, or other language related diplomas where English features as part of the course.
● Health or Local Government full or partial DPSI.
Together with:
● Previous or current employment in criminal justice services in their country of origin, legal training in the UK or abroad, or other exposure to criminal justice work through other channels is also acceptable (volunteer and/or paid work in the community for police services or work for Victim Support, for example);
● University level education (any degree);
● At least 100 hours public sector interpreting experience;
● References;
● And, in all cases, a pass at the assessment centre to the Tier Two standard.

TIER THREE (£16 per hour)
The interpreter must have one or more of the following:
● Demonstrable experience in the public sector with appropriate linguistic background;
● Formalised basic interpreter training including one of the following: The WEA Programmes, Bi-Lingual Skills Certificates, Community Level Interpreting Degrees under the NVQ certification system.
Together with
● References;
● And, a pass at the Assessment Centres to the Tier Three standard
It is also desirable for Tier Three interpreters to have at least 100 hours of public sector interpreting experience.

Additional information regarding required qualifications and experience.

Rare languages
In the case of rare languages where the DPSI or equivalent qualification is not available, the interpreter must have the Cambridge Proficiency in English Certificate, or NRPSI registration (rare language).

All rare language candidates should have 100 hours of public sector interpreting experience, evidence of continuous professional development, verifiable references and a pass at the Assessment Centres.

Language Service Professionals working with the deaf and deafblind
(Please contact Clarion Call www.clarioncall.net for information on pay rates)

Definitions
NRCPD. National Register of Communication Professionals working with deaf and deafblind people. NRCPD registered communication professionals have all achieved recognised qualifications in their discipline and work to strict professional codes of practice. Registration is the only guarantee that providers of communication services have met safe-to-practise standards and carry professional indemnity insurance if it is required. All five registration categories sit within this framework.
MRSLI. Member of the Register of Sign Language Interpreters. This sits within the NRCPD framework. Fully qualified and competent to work in all settings.
CACDP. Council for Advancement of Communication with deaf people.
Registration Status and qualifications.
All Communication Professionals working with deaf and deafblind people must be registered with the NRCPD. This must be at the following levels:

1.Sign Language Interpreter
● MRSLI
● NVQ 4 (pre October 2010) BSL/English Interpreting and Language Units. Or
● NVQ 6 (post October 2010) BSL/English Interpreting and Language Units. Or
● Postgraduate diploma or MA in BSL/English Interpreting from UCLAN or Leeds University.

2. Lipspeaker
● Member of the Register of Level 3 Lipspeakers.
● CACDP Level 3 in Lipspeaking certificate.

3. Speech to Text Reporter
● Member of the Register of Level 3 STTRs;
● CACDP Level 3 Verbatim Speech to Text Reporting certificate.

4. Deafblind Manual interpreters
● Member of the Register of Level 3 Deafblind Manual Interpreters;
● CACDP Level 3 Deafblind Manual certificate.

5. Notetaker (Electronic and Manual)
● Member of the Register of Level 3 Notetakers;
● CACDP Level 3 Notetaking certificate.

Accepting a booking through the Linguist Lounge automation system

Travel time and travel expenses
Under the framework agreement, as is now the norm in the public sector, no payment will be made to Capita Translation and Interpreting for travel time and travel expenses. A flat fee will be paid, by the Ministry of Justice, for interpreting time alone.

Logically, interpreters who live within 10 miles of the premises that they attend will be more frequently contacted unless certain exceptions apply. These exceptions are detailed below.

Travel Time: Based on the calculations made by route planners, interpreters making their way to work are not paid for travel time if the combined total of their outbound and inbound trips amounts to less than 2 hours.
In the event that a round journey is in excess of 2 hours duration, an additional payment of £10 per hour after the first hour each way is applied. This is based on the distance, not on traffic congestion, other than in exceptional circumstances.

Travel Expenses: Travel expenses are paid at a rate of 20 pence per mile for that mileage in excess of 10 miles travelled one way. Should travel to an assignment total 20 miles, for example, the payment made would total £2 (20 miles – 10 miles = 10 miles. 10 x £0.20 = £2.00). If another appointment is attended, the same calculation would apply for travel to that appointment and then ultimately again for the return journey home. Receipts must be kept for all travel costs. Failure to do so may invalidate your travel cost claims.

PLEASE NOTE: Capita Translation and Interpreting does not cover the cost of car parking charges.

Travel by means other than a car: All calculations made for travel are based on the use of a personal vehicle. If you should choose to travel by other means, Capita Translation and Interpreting will not pay for train or bus tickets, or any other form of transport used to reach an assignment (with the exception of circumstances where travel is required by air or sea). The distance covered by a person electing to travel by train, for example, will be paid as if the trip had been made by car and the cost of the ticket will not be reimbursed.

If you have any queries regarding payment for Ministry of Justice language services being provided by Capita Translation and Interpreting, please email paymentqueries@capita-ti.com.

To ensure you understand the payment process and how to view and accept payments once jobs are completed by you, please refer to the guides on the jobs and payments page.