Qualified to sign, but prepared to support?
A new anonymous blog post published on The Limping Chicken has struck a nerve in the Deaf community, and for good reason.
It doesn’t attack interpreters.
It doesn’t generalise or blame.
It simply shares lived experience: situations where interpreters and Communication Support Workers (CSWs) clearly didn’t know what to do, or did the wrong thing entirely.
But the most important line in the article?
“On some training courses, this is not something that is taught or part of their curriculum when they are studying to be an interpreter.”
And that’s the heart of the problem.
The training gap that no one talks about
There’s a myth floating around that if someone passes a BSL Level 6 or completes their interpreter training, they’re automatically ready for professional life in Deaf spaces.
But qualifications are just the start.
What many CSWs and interpreters quickly discover (sometimes too late) is that real-world support goes far beyond knowing how to sign. It involves social awareness, cultural respect, and a deep understanding of the subtle, shifting dynamics in every situation.
When this isn’t taught or modelled during training, well-meaning professionals are left to figure it out on the job.
And Deaf people are left to deal with the consequences.
This isn’t about bad people. It’s about poor preparation.
Let me be clear: most interpreters and CSWs want to do a good job.
But good intentions don’t stop the harm caused by:
Interpreters chatting with hearing colleagues and sidelining Deaf professionals
CSWs becoming the voice in the room, rather than the bridge
Hearing teams directing conversations to the interpreter instead of the Deaf person
Social invites going to support workers, while Deaf colleagues are left out
“I’m just the interpreter” being used as a shield for inaction or awkwardness
Think about a workplace meeting where hearing colleagues direct all their questions to the interpreter instead of the Deaf employee.
What should the communication professional do?
They can help redirect the conversation towards the Deaf person while maintaining their professional role. But employers and hearing colleagues also have a responsibility to communicate inclusively.
These are the situations where professional judgement, Deaf Awareness and clear boundaries really matter.
These examples show how easily a Deaf person can be excluded, even when a communication professional is present.
BSL qualifications develop important language skills, and interpreter training covers professional practice. But not every course can prepare someone for every situation they'll face in a classroom or workplace.
Knowing how to manage professional relationships, respond to uncomfortable requests and recognise when a Deaf person is being excluded takes ongoing learning, reflection and experience.
How do we fix it?
We start by acknowledging that this is a systemic issue, not an individual failing.
Training providers, education settings, and agencies need to take responsibility for closing this gap. But so do support workers themselves.
At Deaf Umbrella, we've worked alongside Deaf professionals, students, employers and interpreters for over 25 years. We've seen these challenges first-hand, particularly in education, and we know how much difference the right training can make.
That's one of the reasons we created our CPD-accredited online course, Becoming a Professional CSW.
It helps CSWs develop a clearer understanding of their responsibilities, professional boundaries, ethical practice, working with tutors and supporting Deaf student independence.
Because knowing BSL is an important foundation, but understanding how to use those skills professionally matters just as much.
If this resonated with you…
We invite you to read another piece recently published on The Limping Chicken, written by Rachel Hubbard (Deaf Umbrella’s CEO): “They Don’t Know What They Don’t Know: Why Colleges Must Train Their CSWs”
It explores how this same issue plays out in education and why Deaf students often receive inconsistent or unhelpful support, despite the best efforts of the CSWs involved.
If you're working as a CSW or interpreter and want to feel more confident and competent in your role, our course might be the missing piece.
But whether you train with us or somewhere else, the key takeaway is this:
It’s not about blaming individuals. It’s about raising the standard.
Because Deaf people deserve better. And support workers deserve the tools to do better.
Ready to take your CSW skills further?
Knowing BSL is a great achievement. But do you feel prepared for the real situations you'll face as a Communication Support Worker?
Our Becoming a Professional Communication Support Worker CPD-accredited online course helps you build the professional knowledge, practical skills and confidence to support Deaf students effectively.
Whether you're preparing for your first CSW role or already working in education, there's always room to develop your skills.
👉 Explore the Becoming a Professional CSW course: Flexible, self-paced online learning, backed by over 25 years of Deaf Umbrella's experience.
