Interpreting and Translation Service

The Interpreting and Translation Service (ITS) is part of the Ethnic Minority Achievement Team.

The aim of the ITS is to support Home School Liaison by facilitating effective communication between schools (and other education services) and the people of Lambeth who speak little or no English.

This helps to ensure that they are able to participate fully in the education of their children.

Language support

Lambeth provides interpreters and translators in various ways, including school parents' evenings, mother-tongue assessments, school open days, annual reviews, letters to parents and home/school agreements.

We can provide support to Lambeth schools in the following languages:

Albanian, Amharic, Arabic, Bengali, Bulgarian, British Sign Language, Cantonese, Dari, Ewe, Farsi, French, Greek, Gujarati, Hakka, Hindi, Italian, Kikongo, Kurdish-Kirmanji, Lingala, Mandarin, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Romanian, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Swahili, Sylheti, Tigrinya, Turkish, Urdu and Wolof.

All of our community interpreters and translators are trained and experienced. Please note that interpreters and translators are not substitute for language support teachers of any kind.

How to book

Bookings should be made at least 72 hours (three days) before the required interpreting session if possible. This will give the ITS time to contact the appropriate interpreter for the session. The appointment will be confirmed once the interpreter is booked.

You can book a translator using our translator booking form.

If for any reason the session is cancelled, please inform the ITS immediately to prevent any inconvenience or unnecessary expense. If a session is cancelled less than 24 hours before the appointment you will be charged in full for one hour.

Bilingual assistants

We provide bilingual assistants to Lambeth schools when they receive new pupils at non-routine admission points.

Bilingual assistants mainly go into a school for 15 hours to help new arrivals settle in.

Requests for interpreters, translators or bilingual assistants should be made through the ITS Co-ordinator either by telephone, fax or email.

Can other organisations or council departments use the service?

Yes, but there is a charge for this work. If you would like more information, please contact the ITS Co-ordinator:

Annie Wong
10th floor, Blue Star House
234-244 Stockwell Road
London SW9 9SP

Tel: 020 7926 9688
Fax: 020 7926 9362
Email: AWong@lambeth.gov.uk