Communication Support Workers

What does a Communication Support Worker (CSW) do?

The benefits of using a Communication Support Worker

Potential Problems

Who employs CSWs and how much do they cost?

Useful Links

What does a communication support worker (CSW) do?

• A CSW is (someone) a professional person who is able to support a range of D/deaf students using a variety of methods of communication to suit each individual.

• CSWs can support students by interpreting lecture or tutorials into BSL, by lip-speaking to the student, or by note-taking for the student (either by hand or electronically).

• CSWs can be used in normal class or lecture time, at tutorials, at college interviews, on work experience or on residential courses.

• CSWs can support students to help them understand the written course material, and help the student when producing their own written work.

• CSWs often provide this support as part of a team that may include a teacher of the deaf or another support tutor who will also work with the student.  

• The CSW may be able to offer brief deaf awareness training to the lecturer and hearing students to facilitate the inclusion of the D/deaf student within the class, and to ensure that the needs of the deaf student are understood by everyone.

• The lecturer and CSW should discuss the format of each session in advance, so that the CSW is prepared both in terms of topic content and can also anticipate any elements of the class that may cause additional problems for the deaf student (eg use of video without signing or subtitles)

• The working relationship between the CSW and the lecturer is an important one.   Students will always benefit more when the working relationship is a good one.

• Although it is common for CSWs to work alone, it is important to recognize the need for regular breaks.   In some situations where course content is very difficult or technical, or the pace of the session is very fast, it may be necessary to have 2 CSWs working together.    Overwork can result in serious fatigue and repetitive motion injury for the CSW.

• It is sometimes possible for lecturers to structure their sessions in a way that builds in short break times for the CSW, where no communication is required.   The CSW needs to negotiate this with the lecturer and explain how to make everything flow as smoothly as possible.

• At break times and lunch times, the CSW will need a proper break from their work.    CSWs can provide social communication support for students, but this has to be built into their timetable, to ensure that they are still getting adequate rest time.

• It is helpful if the same CSW can be used regularly.   It helps the lecturer, student and CSW to have this continuity both in terms of group dynamics, shared knowledge and working relationships.   This becomes essential in more technical subjects where subject knowledge becomes vital in order to support the student effectively.

• The Forest Bookshop (www.forestbooks.com) provides a range of books and videos giving further information and guidance on the use of communication support in Post 16 Education for Deaf students.

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The benefits of using a communication support worker

• CSWs can be the most appropriate form of communication support for a variety of D/deaf students – those that use BSL and also those who are hard of hearing and need supported speech, lip-speaking or note-taking.

• If a college has a variety of D/deaf students with differing needs, having a team of trained CSWs can ensure that the needs of each student can be met appropriately.

• The CSW has a more flexible role than that of the interpreter and can offer the student additional support with understanding and producing written material.

• The CSW is also more flexible in the modes in which they work.    If trained appropriately they can switch from one form of support to another as required.   This means that they can work with a variety of different students, but also sometimes one student can need different types of support at different times – eg BSL interpretation or visual references (note-taking).

• The student may benefit if the same CSW is employed on a regular basis.

• A CSW employed and based in one college will have the opportunity to develop strong working relationships with other college staff, and will be able to offer continuity of support for the student.

• If several CSWs are employed at one centre, then there are additional benefits from team working and support.

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Potential problems

• There is currently no CSW training course in Scotland, which means that there are very few CSWs here who have a formal qualification in what they do.  

• This makes recruiting CSWs more difficult, especially if a range of skills is required from one person.

• In some places the term CSW is used to describe an untrained and unqualified interpreter working with Deaf students to interpret lectures into BSL.

• The benefits of having a CSW able to offer flexible and varied support to students may be lost if the CSW has had no formal training for this.

• If a student is going on a residential course as part of their college programme, then it may well be necessary to book 2 CSWs to accompany them, particularly if there are evening activities involved.  Colleges should always discuss these issues with individual CSWs to ensure that they will be able to cope with the workload and the demands on their time. 

• In some situations the CSW’s work may include supporting the student at break times with social communication, but it is important to realize that the CSW will need a break too.

• CSWs who are expected to work with students with additional learning or physical disabilities should be selected carefully to ensure that they have the appropriate skills and aptitude for this. 

• In some situations where there is no continuity of CSW support for a student, this may unsettle or create other problems for the student, and will also make work of the CSWs more difficult in terms of lecture preparation and working relationships with the tutor/s.

• Some establishments see providing a CSW as being the total solution to supporting a Deaf student, but other considerations, awareness and support are usually essential in order to provide an educational experience that does not disadvantage them.

• The CSW is not a tutor.   Colleges should not expect a CSW to deliver tutorial support to students. 

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Who employs CSWs and how much do they cost?

• CSWs are usually employed by the college in which they work.    Some colleges book CSWs through communication support agencies.

• CSWs who are employed by a college may be contracted on a full-time, part-time or hourly basis.

• Colleges should seek to employ CSWs whose own level of educational achieve exceeds the level at which they will be expected to work.

• Colleges should aim to employ CSWs who have at least CACDP Stage 3 or NVQ Level 3 in BSL if they are to work with students who sign.

• If written note-taking skills are also required, but no formal qualification has been obtained for this, then colleges should check the CSWs handwriting and/or keyboard skills, and their experience of taking their own notes during lectures or minuting meetings. 

• If lip-speaking is going to be involved in a CSW’s work then the college should ensure that the CSW has the appropriate CACDP lip-speaking qualification.

• When working on residential courses, extra fees or time off may need to be negotiated with the CSW if they are working additional hours.

• D/deaf students do not usually have to pay towards the cost of a CSW in Further Education.  However, if the course being studied is at HNC level or above then the student will need to apply for DSA and use this towards paying the CSW.

• CSW fees and salaries vary.    Hourly rates can vary between £9 and £17 per hour depending on qualification, experience and location.   Salaries will also vary according to qualification and experience.   Those CSWs who are qualified and experienced can earn upwards of £15,000 a year.

•  Employers need to be aware that although there are few CSWs working in Scotland that have the BTEC CSW qualification, other qualifications should be taken into account when deciding on fees or salaries.    Level of BSL and/or lip-speaking qualifications are relevant, as is the CSWs level of general education (eg, Standard Grades, Highers, Degree)
  

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Useful links

 www.forestbooks.com : The Forest Bookshop

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