Media and public attention has rightly concentrated the minds of senior local authority staff recently on effective and caring child services within social services. But it's important to realise that this focus should be socially-inclusive - that effective communication means communicating with everyone, regardless of their nationality or their background.
Cultural and language divisions in communities can be a big problem and can exacerbate any difficulty that already exists. It's therefore vital that translators and interpreters are brought in when language is a barrier in a family services case involving a child.
For years, Prestige Network has worked to ensure that local authorities' services for vulnerable children reach every sector of the community. Our knowledge of the children's services discipline therefore positions us ideally to be able to help when an interpreter is required.
Our approach means that we recognise that good interpersonal skills are essential in interpreting services when work involves dealing with young children. And our policy of employing CRB-checked (in some cases, enhanced-CRB checks) translators with training in special child-protection industry issues ensures that sensitivity and best value will be built into any work we do.
To find out more about how Prestige Network can help you to ensure that your policy of working with vulnerable children is socially inclusive, call our local authority specialist Colin Dudley on 01635 866888. Or check out check out how we work with local authorities.
