MI 200_00enc

Pupil Access and Community Services

County Hall

Martineau Lane

Norwich

NR1 2DL

Minicom: (01603) 223833

Miss S. Broadbridge

BS/SB 01603 764707

November 2000 01603 767904

(e-mail: sarah.broadbridge.edu@norfolk.gov.uk)

To all Headteachers

Dear Colleague,

Translating and Interpretation Services

As part of Norfolk County Council 's commitment to providing equality of access to its Services a Translating and Interpretation Service for its member and partner agencies will be launched in December 2000.

The service will have three strands: Language Line, CINTRA (Cambridge Interpretation and Translation Agency) and Deaf ConneXions.

As a first step, all schools and education service providers are invited to register now for access to Language Line. This is a telephone service and can be used for immediate time-limited interpreting needs. Over 100 languages are offered. It is already widely used by Social Services.

All schools and education service providers are encouraged to use the Service as it offers genuine equal access for non-English speakers.

Registration:

Schools should register as named sites with a key contact. Registration can be ended by the user at any time.

Minimum equipment needed:

One single telephone handset will suffice but two handsets plugged into a double jackplug (£1-£2).off the same line will provide easier three-way communication and is recommended. Use of a mobile phone is possible but is not recommended.

A line in a room which affords space and privacy would be helpful for clients but language line can be accessed anywhere. Like the AA, it is the user/site name not the place or equipment that is licenced so the code could be used for example on a home visit to parents.

Use:

Each site will be given an unique ID code which authorises use and provides itemised billing to the LEA. The Language Line operator remains with you throughout the call and guides you through the straightforward procedure.

Costs:

Service management costs to be met by the County Council.
Schools to meet the cost of providing equipment.
Call costs: £2.75 a minute. The LEA has agreed to fund all call costs until the end of this financial year while demand is being assessed. The funding position will be reviewed for 2001/02.
Training delivery costs will be met by NCC and offered centrally but it is regretted that attendance costs cannot be met.

Your details will be passed straight on to Language Line so that use of the Service can commence. Your details will also be passed to CINTRA so that information can be sent to you directly on meeting planned interpreting needs and translations.

Yours sincerely,

Director of Education

Enclosure

Language Line Registration Form

I wish to register the following site for Language Line and to be allocated a user ID number:

Information required	Enter your response here
Name of school
Address
Post code
Contact name
Position
Approximate no. of on site staff.*

*This is only a rough guide for Language Line records and does not define the number of users.

General information on Language Line can be found on www.languageline.uk Queries re: this letter can be directed to Sarah Broadbridge at the number given below.

Information / Training:

A information and training day is to be held on Wednesday 22^nd November at the Council Chamber, County Hall, with a choice of three sessions offered.

The training is for key users and is not essential but advisable. Please indicate below if you will be attending the training. Booking is not necessary as places are guaranteed and you will not receive confirmation, just turn up, but the trainers would be grateful for some prior indication of numbers.

Session time	Likely number of staff attending.
9.30-11.15am
11.30-13.30pm
14.00-3.45pm
School

Please return registration and training form to:

Admin. - English Language Support Service

Boardman House

Redwell Street

Norwich, NR2 4SL

Tel: 01603 764707