The Role:
The BSL Interpreter will provide freelance, DSA-funded Non-Medical Help interpreting support to Deaf students in Higher Education who use British Sign Language. Support must be delivered only where it has been recommended through the student’s Needs Assessment Report and approved by Student Finance England on the student’s DSA2 entitlement, and only within the agreed NMH role boundaries. The interpreter will enable access to taught sessions, tutorials, seminars, practical learning activity and other study-related communication by interpreting accurately between BSL and English, while preserving meaning, tone and intent. The role must promote student independence, maintain professional boundaries, protect confidentiality and produce accurate records that support DSA audit, invoicing and quality assurance requirements.
Key Responsibilities
- Deliver BSL/English interpreting support only for sessions that fall within the student’s approved DSA-funded NMH support and the relevant BSL Interpreter role boundaries.
- Interpret accurately and fluently between British Sign Language and spoken or written English for Deaf students in Higher Education learning environments.
- Support access to lectures, seminars, tutorials, workshops, laboratory sessions, fieldwork, academic meetings and other study-related activities where interpreting support has been agreed.
- Check booking details before delivery, including student name, course activity, date, time, location or online platform, approved support type and any relevant access requirements.
- Prepare for assignments by reviewing available course materials, terminology, timetables, access arrangements and the student’s preferred communication approach.
- Facilitate communication between the student and academic staff, peers, support staff and other relevant participants while remaining neutral and impartial.
- Convey academic content, questions, discussion, feedback and study-related information accurately, preserving meaning, tone and intent.
- Promote student independence and participation without providing academic guidance, advocacy, tutoring, mentoring, note-taking, personal assistance or wider support outside the interpreting role.
- Maintain professional boundaries and avoid influencing the student’s academic decisions, answers, coursework, attendance choices or engagement.
- Maintain confidentiality, data protection and safeguarding requirements in line with supplier procedures, HE provider expectations and DSA/NMH requirements.
- Complete accurate timesheets and support records promptly after each session, ensuring they reflect the support actually delivered and are not completed or signed before the session has taken place.
- Provide clear evidence for invoicing and audit purposes, including attendance, start and finish times, delivery method, cancellations or non-attendance, and any required student or supplier verification.
- Notify the NMH supplier promptly of changes, cancellations, concerns, conflicts of interest, safeguarding matters, qualification or registration changes, or any issue that may affect compliant delivery of support.
- Use remote interpreting platforms and online learning environments confidently where support is delivered remotely or in hybrid settings.
- Maintain professional registration, competence and continuing professional development relevant to BSL interpreting in HE settings,and provide evidence when requested for supplier or DSA audit purposes.
Essential Skills and Experience
- Experience interpreting for Deaf students or service users in Higher Education, further education, training, professional learning or comparable settings.
- Ability to interpret academic discussion, specialist terminology and group interaction accurately and appropriately.
- Understanding of Disabled Students’ Allowance, Non-Medical Help support boundaries and the requirement to promote student independence.
- Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to work professionally with students, lecturers, disability advisers, NMH providers and other support staff.
- Strong ethical judgement, including awareness of impartiality, confidentiality, professional boundaries and conflict-of-interest considerations.
- Good organisational skills, including preparation, timekeeping, diary management and completion of support records.
- Confidence using video platforms, virtual learning environments and remote interpreting tools.
Essential Qualifications and Registration
- Meet the Department for Education mandatory qualification and professional body membership requirements for the DSA-funded Band 4 British Sign Language Interpreter role.
- Hold an appropriate Level 6 BSL/English interpreting qualification, or equivalent qualification accepted for the DSA-funded NMH role.
- Hold current registration with a recognised UK professional body for sign language interpreters, appropriate to the role and assignment type.
- Fluency in British Sign Language and English, with strong working knowledge of Deaf culture, identity and communication access in education.
- Enhanced DBS clearance, where required by the setting or provider.
- Commitment to continuing professional development, reflective practice and professional standards for interpreting in HE.
Desirable Criteria
- Experience delivering DSA-funded Non-Medical Help support in a university or higher education provider setting.
- Knowledge of reasonable adjustments, inclusive teaching practice and communication access arrangements for Deaf students.
- Experience working alongside other NMH roles, disability services, academic departments and external support providers.
- Additional relevant communication support skills, such as deafblind communication awareness or experience of interpreting for specialist academic subjects
- Continuing professional development when requested for supplier, Department for Education or Student Loans Company audit purposes.
- Conflicts of interest: The interpreter must declare any actual, potential or perceived conflict of interest, including personal, financial, academic or employment links with the student, the higher education provider, the supplier or any other party that could affect impartiality or compliant delivery.
- Data protection and confidentiality: Student information, DSA documents, timetables, support records and academic materials must be handled securely and used only for the purpose of arranging, delivering and evidencing approved NMH support.
- Remote and hybrid support: Where support is delivered remotely, the interpreter must use approved platforms and protect confidentiality.
Person Specification
- Student-centred, respectful and committed to inclusive learning.
- Reliable, punctual and able to work independently.
- Calm and professional in busy teaching environments.
- Responsive to individual communication needs without taking over the student’s learning or decision-making.
- Committed to maintaining confidentiality and safeguarding responsibilities.
What Amano offer you:
A rewarding and flexible role
Be part of a professional and friendly team
Comprehensive CPD (Continuing Professional Development)
Competitive rates of pay
Innovative, easy-to-use Amano App
Flexibility to work around you during sociable hours
Adds experience and depth to your CV
If you are interested, please contact us at [email protected] with your CV for a discussion about the role.
Job Type: Freelance
Pay: £35.00-£45.00 per hour
Application question(s):
- Are you able to provide face-to-face support to students in Portsmouth?
- Do you hold any of the specified qualifications detailed within the job description? Hold an appropriate Level 6 BSL/English interpreting qualification, or equivalent qualification, hold current registration with a recognised UK professional body for sign language interpreters, and fluency in British Sign Language and English,
Education:
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Location:
- Portsmouth PO6 (required)
Work Location: In person
