Communication support workers (CSWs) work in schools and colleges helping deaf students to communicate with their teachers or tutors and other students on the course. They use methods such as interpreting between spoken English and British Sign Language (BSL), and lipspeaking. 

Working alongside other professionals, such as teachers and interpreters, communication support workers provide support for students by, for example:

• helping students understand and produce written material in class
• adapting the language of 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
• note-taking in classes.

Hours and Environment

As a communication support worker you will probably work 25 to 30 hours a week during college or university term time (typically 30 to 40 weeks a year). Part-time and sessional work is common, especially as many deaf learners may only attend college on a part-time basis. 

Your working environment will vary, depending on the type of courses you are supporting - you could work in classrooms, lecture theatres or laboratories, or outdoors on farms, building sites, and other working environments. You might need to travel between college sites, so a driving licence would be useful.

Skills and Interests

To be a communication support worker you need:

• excellent communication skills in English (spoken and written) and BSL (British Sign Language)
• flexibility and adaptability
• the ability to work effectively with learners, tutors, lecturers and other professionals
• a willingness to carry out research, for example, in order to familiarise yourself with specialised vocabulary
• an awareness and understanding of deaf culture and issues in the education of deaf people
• to be impartial, able to respect learners’ confidentiality and be committed to equal opportunities
• computer literacy.

Entry

• the CACDP Stage 2 Certificate in British Sign Language
• at least four GCSEs (A-C)/S grades (1-3), including English. or equivalent
• to be over 19 years old.

• an Edexcel qualification in Educational Support Work with Deaf Learners in schools or further education
• a CACDP qualification in Facilitating Communication.

The CACDP has already developed Level 3 Certificates in Facilitating Communication, for example:

• CACDP Level 3 Certificate in Facilitating Communication with Deaf People (Lipspeaking Skills)
• CACDP Level 3 Certificate in Facilitating Communication with Deaf People (Notetaking Skills).

Visit the CACDP website in Further Information below for more details.

Training

Once you start work as a communication support worker you will usually be expected to upgrade your British Sign Language qualifications to NVQ level 3 and beyond, and improve your sign language interpreting skills.

You can also take additional CACDP qualifications that may be relevant to your job. See the CACDP website in Further Information below for a full list of courses.

Opportunities

Most communication support workers are employed by colleges of further education and universities throughout the UK. Others may be employed by schools, local education authorities, vocational training centres or freelance agencies.

As an experienced communication support worker, you could move into management positions within sensory impairment or disability services. With further training, you could progress to become a sign language interpreter or teacher of the deaf. See the British Sign Language/English Interpreter profile for details of this career.

Annual Income

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

Communication support workers can earn between around £14,000 and around £22,000 a year.
Many contracted workers are employed on a pro-rata basis, part time, for part of the year.

Sessional, freelance or agency workers are usually paid by the hour. Hourly rates can range from around £9.50 to around £16.50.

Further information