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FAQ 1 Who is a CSW?
Communication support workers mainly work in education, in schools, colleges and universities, supporting Deaf learners to communicate with their teachers and other learners. CSWs work as part of the education team alongside other professionals, such as Teachers of the Deaf (TODs), Speech and Language Therapists (SALTs), Audiologists and sometimes British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters.
Duties typically include:
• Supporting students by interpreting between spoken English and BSL, notetaking and lipspeaking.
• Supporting students with understanding and producing written material in class
• Adapting learning materials so that students understand them more easily
• Suggesting ways that the school or college environment can be improved to make it easier for students to use hearing aids or lipread.
Senior CSWs often co-ordinate a communication support team and carry out related administrative duties.
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FAQ 2 Why do we need an Association?
The job title of "Communication Support Worker" is a relatively recent role. The job role exists for several reasons: There is a national shortage of qualified BSL Interpreters, and many qualified Interpreters prefer not to work in education. To understand the context; Qualified BSL interpreters are counted in the hundreds, but CSWs are counted in the thousands.
More and more Deaf people are relishing the opportunities opened up by the increasing inclusion afforded by the Disability Discrimination Act. For every Deaf student there is one CSW, sometimes two.
The need for CSWs has outrun the proper process of recognition, support and training that most other careers enjoy. Many CSWs operate alone, without a recognised pay scale, with no information about indemnity insurance and in a situation where no one around them fully understands their role. This is where ACSW comes in. ACSW seeks to address all those situations.
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FAQ 3 Why the Name: Communication Support Worker?
This is the subject of much debate amongst CSWs and Deaf people alike. Some object to the word 'Support' in the title, because it suggests that the Deaf person is somehow inadequate and cannot operate without support. Others say no, the support is for communication only. Deaf people are able to call on this communication support in many ways, as detailed above.
There are some who would like to see a name change and have suggested titles like, 'Educational Communicator'. However, there are many CSWs who work outside education. Some have suggested: Communicator, Communication Worker, Communication Facilitator etc. etc.
The job title CSW however, is used by many organisations, course providers and local authorities, so the status quo is 'CSW'. The Association of Communication Support Workers is led by the members of the Association. The Association recognises that the job title of its members is the subject of consultation and therefore the name of the Association is committed to change according to their views.
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FAQ 4 What do members of ACSW get for their money?
The most important benefit for members is collective. It is the benefit of belonging to an organisation that exists for the support and representation of all CSW members. To clarify that statement, ACSW stands for encouraging good practice, improving training standards, improving opportunities, providing a professional network, improving information exchange, improving professional standards and support. These are benefits that all members may enjoy. How tangible these benefits become will depend on the individual.
In addition to that collective benefit, there are immediate benefits, as follows:
* Voting rights
* Reduced entry fees to ACSW events and training courses
* Access to ACSW regional meetings
* Access to ACSW members’ forum
* Access to regular eNewsletter, usually once a month
* Eligibility to stand for National Executive or Regional Representative positions
* Use of ACSW logo (upon request)
* Professional Network
* Information Exchange
* Jobs & Opportunities Service
* Professional Indemnity Insurance discounts
* A Voice for Change
* Representation at Statutory Level
* Opportunities for CSWs to get involved
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