Use of Interpreters, Signers & Others with Communication Skills
Last updated: October 7, 2008
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
Effective communication is vital in order to:
- conduct assessments of children suspected of being abused
- allow the child to express his/her wishes and feelings, attend court and to have his/her experience understood
- undertake therapy and counselling following abuse
All agencies need to ensure therefore that they are able to communicate fully with parents and children when they have concerns about child abuse, and ensure that family members and professionals fully understand the exchanges that take place.
Assistance with communication may be required in the circumstances set out in section 2.
Agencies should make arrangements to ensure that, where it is necessary to arrange assistance with communication, children are seen with an interpreter within the same timescales for assessment or investigation as for any other intervention.
