Interpretation and Translation Services

The contract is to provide language services including spoken and non-spoken Interpretation and Translation services to the Authority.

The contract will be tendered in two (2) Lots;

Lot 1 - Face to Face interpreting for Social Service requirements, interviews, meetings, consultation, for spoken languages, telephone interpretation and document translation services. Video interpretation will only be accepted as a substitute in instances when Face to Face fulfilment cannot be fulfilled; this must be agreed in advance with a relevant representative from the Authority. Of the language services provided in the financial year 2024-25, Polish, Urdu, Arabic and Bengali have been the most requested. However, the Authority provided services to 68 different languages during this period, including reasonably high numbers for Punjabi, Romanian and Kurdish / Kurdish Sorani.

Lot 2 - Face to Face interpreting for Social Service requirements, interviews, meetings, consultation, for non-spoken communication including British Sign Language, lipspeaking and Palantypist. Video interpretation will only be accepted as a substitute in instances where Face to Face fulfilment cannot be fulfilled; this must be agreed in advance with a relevant representative from the Authority.

The Authority provides a wide range of services across the county; therefore, the interpretation and translation requirements will cover a wide range of services. Currently, the service is predominately provided for Social Care; however, it is expected that any service within the Authority should be able to access the agreement as and when required.