Why translation and interpreting?
What services available?
How do I access the service?
How can I obtain an estimates/quotation?
How do I know if FCIS can meet my particular needs?
How much notice will FCIS require?
What will it cost?

Why translation and interpreting?
Communication plays a key role in understanding the customer's needs and responding to these in an appropriate manner. For customers whose first language is not English, or who speak very little English, communication can be limited and access to services restricted.
Fife Community Interpreting Service helps to remove communication barriers by providing a comprehensive translation and interpreting service. Our facilities can help you to show your customers that you care by communicating with them directly in the language they can understand.
We can provide translation and interpreting in 30 languages through our established network of freelance translators and interpreters. A list of languages covered by the service is included on the
back of this leaflet.
Our service users include the local authority, health service and police, courts, solicitors, voluntary organisations, the private sector and members of the public.

What services are available?
Translation
(eg letters, leaflets, consultation documents, posters etc)
· Translation
· Proof-reading
· Typesetting (most languages)
· Audio Recording
Interpreting
Face to face (or, in emergencies, over the telephone) interpreting is available to facilitate communication between service-providers and members of the public

How do I access the service?
By simply contacting FCIS on 01592 611745 or emailing fcis@fcis.fsbusiness.co.uk

How can I obtain an estimates/quotation?
We can supply firm quotations in advance for translation work. Rough estimates only can be given for interpreting work, as meeting length/travelling time cannot be predicted exactly in advance.

How do I know if FCIS can meet my particular needs?
You can discuss the material to be translated and obtain advice about appropriate languages, a quotation (if appropriate) and a timescale for delivery of the finished work.

How much notice will FCIS require?
We prefer 7 (and require at least 3) working days' notice for interpreting assignments. However, emergencies can sometimes be covered within one day. Translation work normally takes 3 - 4 weeks, although small jobs can be completed within ten to fourteen days. Short, urgent translations can sometimes be processed in seven days or less. Urgent translation requests should be discussed with the Organiser.

What will it cost?
Fife Council, Fife Primary Care NHS Trust and Fife Constabulary each contribute to the core running costs of our organisation via service level agreements. Since local authority, GP/hospital and police-related interpreting/translation work has been paid for 'up front', we do not require to invoice these agencies for our facilities. (However, all Fife Council Services, except Education, should clear any translation requests with the Team Leader (Service Development) at Corporate Policy. Education Service translation requests should be cleared with the Bilingual Support Service Manager.)

Service-users who do not contribute to our service's upkeep are invoiced according to the number of words processed (Translation) or the number of hours spent on an assignment (Interpreting). Our schedule of fees is available on request.