Introduction
According to latest figures from global data platform Statista, the percentage of pupils in schools in England whose first language is not English has risen from 18% in 2015/16 to 20.8 in 2023/24. Where there are students whose first language is not English, this can also present schools with challenges when communicating with their parents.
Our client, an educational institution, had ongoing difficulties concerning an issue with a student, and contacted us to request interpreting support.
The client was facing challenges in effectively communicating with the student’s parents, primarily due to a language barrier, which hindered discussions and actions regarding the child’s conduct while attending the academy. Concerns over abusive behaviour towards staff and the safety of other pupils had escalated, making prompt intervention essential.
Challenges
Initially, our client had no trouble communicating with the student, who understood and spoke English. However, as behavioural issues arose, various strategies were implemented to manage the student’s conduct, including establishing a support team, and clear rules of attendance. Unfortunately, these measures yielded little to no results.
The academy’s inability to engage with the parents either verbally or in writing posed significant challenges. Our client struggled to communicate key methods and strategies designed to address the student’s behaviour, as well as potential actions required moving forward.
Scheduling meetings was also complicated by language barriers, along with a limited budget for interpreting services. Given the student’s age, confidentiality was of utmost importance throughout the process.
Solution
To tackle the situation effectively, our team began by communicating closely with the client to gain a comprehensive understanding of the case background, including the specific behavioural issues, strategies already applied, and the sensitive nature of the interactions between staff, parents, and the student.
We also considered the legal implications and the necessity for flexibility in scheduling meetings and translations due to urgent timelines and budget constraints.
Using our extensive database of interpreters, we researched qualified interpreters in the family’s first language, applying detailed filters to find candidates with expertise in legal, community support, and educational contexts.
We also considered factors such as gender appropriateness, flexibility regarding arrangements, and competitive pricing to ensure the chosen interpreter would be a good fit for the needs of the student, their parents and the client.
Results
Between October 2021 and March 2022, we facilitated several interpreting assignments involving the academy’s support staff and the student’s parents, ensuring that the same interpreter was allocated for all sessions. This consistency allowed for the development of effective communication and a deeper understanding of the client’s requirements as the case evolved.
The interpreting support proved invaluable, enabling the client to formulate specific action plans for the student, which were then reviewed by the relevant legal governing bodies. Our interpreter was also able to provide the parents with urgent translation of certified documents into the family’s first language, detailing the final decisions made by these authorities regarding the student’s legal standing.
Conclusion
In cases involving sensitive issues, particularly in an educational environment where student behaviour is a concern, understanding the background of the case is crucial. Direct communication with the client is imperative to uncover any potential complications, sensitive information, and legal requirements that may arise.
Our experience tells us that we can’t over – emphasise the importance of working with the same qualified interpreter for each assignment and any necessary translation work to build trust, and maintain consistency and reliability.
With our extensive network of interpreters, and a detailed database, we can identify the best fit for each case, to ensure effective communication. Through continual dialogue with both the interpreter and the client, we ensures that everyone is comfortable with the ongoing assignments and outcomes, ultimately leading to successful resolution of challenging situations.