Transparency data

BSL Advisory Board meeting summary: 26 February 2024 (including BSL version)

Updated 2 August 2024

Applies to England, Scotland and Wales

British Sign Language (BSL) version

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBtYwS2jD0g

Attendees

• Craig Crowley MBE FRSA, Co-Chair of BSL Advisory Board 
• Alex Gowlland, Deputy Director of Disability Unit (DU), Cabinet Office, and Co-Chair of BSL Advisory Board 
• Asif Iqbal MBE 
• Jo Atkinson 
• Mangai Sutharsan 
• Ahmed Mudawi 
• Erin McCluskey 
• Teri Devine 
• Sylvia Simmonds 

Four officials from the DU and one official from the Department for Education (DfE) also attended. 

Apologies 

• Martin Thacker 
• Zoe Fudge-Ajadi 
• Vicki Ashmore 
• Scott Garthwaite 
• Gaye Hampton 
• Richard MacQueen 
• Richard Platt 
• Kate Reed 

Summary of discussion 

1. Introduction 

Craig welcomed the group and led brief introductions. 

Alex mentioned that the Disability Action Plan was published on 5 February. It includes an action for Number 10 Downing Street to work to provide BSL interpretation for all major press conferences and briefings from spring 2024 onwards and to increase the use of BSL in other communications. This demonstrates that the government’s commitment to BSL is driven from the very top. 

2. Update on BSL Act Report 

DU spoke about the next BSL report, the process and the guidance being given to departments. The format will be similar to the first report: an annexed table of BSL activity and examples of good practice and case studies. In addition, it will include departmental improvement plans detailing how departments will improve BSL activity over the next 5 years. 

3. Updates from sub-groups

Health and social care sub-group

Jo gave an update on the sub-group for health and social care. They are thinking about best practice advice to input into guidance to identify the gaps, areas for improvement, potential solutions and issues in the future. 

Jo spoke about: 

• risk, particularly to mental and physical health of not being able to access support
• late diagnoses and assessments
• the cost benefit of providing BSL to enable early intervention and treatment to prevent worsening conditions
• practical barriers to booking appointments and interpreters
• an overreliance on Video Relay Service (VRS), written communication being misunderstood or inaccessible and opportunity of a national VRS
• the need to increase the number of BSL social workers and support staff in care homes
• the NHS accessible information standard being implemented
• mandatory training for paramedics and need for basic BSL

Communication sub-group

Asif gave an update on the communication sub-group. 

Asif spoke about:

• BSL interpreters for any government announcements has now been addressed
• accessibility of the government website
• reviewing Parliament live channel
• the provision of remote services by departments, helping establish ways of working
• opportunity for QR codes for letter translation being developed
• potential future speakers from the Government Communication Service and UK Parliament channel

Education sub-group

The education sub-group report was circulated in written format as Kate was unable to attend the meeting. The board noted its contents. 

4. Presentation from DfE on BSL GCSE 

Following the recent consultation, DfE is working with subject experts to decide what will go into the subject content for the BSL GCSE, and Ofqual will decide how they can assess it. Exam boards will look at whether they want to offer it and then will develop their specifications. 

Once developed, the specifications will be reviewed by Ofqual to ensure the final syllabus drawn up is accurate and can be fairly assessed. Those accredited specifications will be available next year – for the 2025 to 2026 school year. DfE has made links with teacher training providers, working with Signature and NDCS. 

Questions were raised about: 

• barriers for deaf people in terms of accessing the curriculum
• government funding to support deaf people wishing to become teachers for BSL GCSE
• concern that teachers having a minimum of level one BSL may not be adequate
• qualified teachers working alongside a BSL interpreter
• having an explanation video in BSL to update and explain about the curriculum
• hearing parents of deaf children accessing BSL to support their children
• the opportunity to extend the GCSE to A level

DfE confirmed ongoing discussions with departmental colleagues in teacher training, confidence in viability and said they would take the other points on board and reflect on them as work continues. 

5. BSL Advisory Board work plan 2024 

DU spoke about the work plan for the next 2 years of the BSL advisory board. The BSL board is appointed for 3 years. We now want the BSL board to work with the government to identify and help solve those issues that are most important to deaf BSL users. Systematic issues, like the number of interpreters or people’s access to services, might be helped by the upcoming guidance but won’t be resolved by it. 

Questions were raised about: 

• the board’s mandate and the interpreter shortage
• ensuring different points of view from the deaf community are reflected via the board
• budget for recommendations, legislation and guidance
• figuring out the interpreter provisions needed for each sub-group
• attendance of sub-group meetings

DU responded clarifying: 

• the BSL board was created to advise the government on matters of interest to BSL deaf users and the community, and how it can be fixed – the mandate is to advise, for example the board producing a series of papers or advice for ministers to then decide how to take it forward
• the role of the board to feed back with and from the wider deaf communities
• the board will be instrumental to help solve the issue of lack of interpreters
• the sub-groups will feed into an overall plan at the next meeting

Alex spoke about an annual update for the minister drafted by the board via letter to be sent on the anniversary of the board or alongside publication of statutory guidance.