about us

Ian Hodgetts

I have been using BSL since 1991.

My first introduction to BSL was during my employment with Sense (National Deafblind Organisation). I worked there, in various roles, for 11 enjoyable years. I achieved my BSL stage 1, 2 and Pre-Level 3 whilst there and attended the first “BSL Rally” in London during 1999. During this time I received a ‘Certificate of Achievement’ from Birmingham Institute for the Deaf (BID). This was for my involvement in the recruitment of Deaf people into Sense's residential services.

I moved to London in 2002 and managed a Supported Housing team for Riverhaven (formally Harding Housing Association). I also worked as a casual Communication Support Worker for Oak Lodge School for 2 evenings a week. During these two years I achieved my BSL NVQ Level 3 and NVQ Level 4 (Language Units). I completed my NVQ BSL/English Interpreting course in November 2006.

Since January 2005, I have been working solely as a freelance BSL Interpreter and am registered as MRSLI (Member of the Register of Sign Language Interpreters) with the NRCPD (National Register of Communication Professionals with Deaf and Deafblind People) via Signature (formerly known as CACDP: Council for the Advancement of Communication with Deaf People).

I have experience of the following domains:

• Education (Primary, Secondary, College, University) including staff development courses/training
• Employment (Interviews, Disciplinary, Supervision, Senior Management level)
• Mental Health (In/Out patient, Assessments, Multi-Disciplinary team meetings,
training and awareness sessions)
• Community
• Platform and Conference
• Politics
• Health (GP, hospitals, home visits)
• Office (telephone, report writing, team meetings up to senior management level)
• Media (Office/location based work, including BBC and Channel 4 and newspaper journalism)
• Staff training sessions
• International (including WFD conference and European Politics)
• Union
• Theatre (both interpreting as well as volunteer acting for various organisations)
• Deaf relay and Spoken Language interpreters

I am also a full member of the Association of Sign Language Interpreters ASLI. I also have the voluntary role of ASLI London & South East Representative, please see ASLI website for more details.

Other qualifications/experience include

• Certified Group trainer
• NVQ Assessor
• Registered Care Manager
• Health & Safety, Food Hygiene
• Management Certificates (NEBSM)
• Deafblind awareness
• Challenging Behaviour management
• Mental Health
• Learning Difficulties
• Housing Law and Supported Housing
• Management & Supervision
• Quality Assurance
• Staff induction, recruitment and professional development
• Alternative communication methods (tactile, objects of reference)