NABS Duty of Care Statement

NABS Duty of Care Statement in relation to interpreting services for children

NABS takes very seriously it's responsibilities in relation to duty of care and provision of services to sign language users. This applies whether the consumer is a child or an adult.

NABS supplies sign language interpreting services to children who use sign language. While all due care is taken and professional conduct adhered to by NABS interpreters the responsibility for children is always with their primary care giver in conjunction with the child's health care provider.

NABS interpreters are provided with access to ongoing professional development and training while registered with NABS.

When supplying services to children the following applies:

• A child is any person under the age of 18 yrs
• NABS and NABS interpreters are not responsible for the outcomes of medical and health care appointments
• NABS interpreters should not be considered to be "accompanying "any child to any medical or heath care appointment. The interpreter's role is that of communication facilitator and as such is required by all parties
• Responsibility for the child's safety and wellbeing before, during and after a medical or health care appointment where the presence of an interpreter has been requested, lie with the child's primary care giver and health care provider
• NABS will process a booking for an appointment for a child sign language user where the request is received from a parent, a medical or health care professional or their staff, a primary care giver such as (but not exclusively) a foster parent or extended family. It will be assumed by NABS that the medical or health care professional in conjunction with the child's significant others will make the decision with regard to proceeding with the appointment and advise NABS accordingly
• NABS will accept a booking for an appointment from a child 16 yrs of age and over
• NABS will seek the advice of a third party ie; parent, care giver, significant other or medical or health care professional if a booking is received from a child under 16yrs of age. The responsibility for the appointment will rest with the third party. If NABS cannot contact the third party for some reason, cannot clearly verify the third party, or does not receive confirmation from a third party NABS will not proceed with the booking
• NABS requests date of birth details from all auslan users making bookings