Video interpreting services
Professional video interpreting services
Silent Sounds provides professional video interpreting services that connect organisations with qualified spoken-language and British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters remotely.
Available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, our video interpreting service provides flexible access to professional interpreters across more than 350 languages.
Video interpreting can be used for both pre-booked appointments and on-demand requirements, providing an effective alternative where face-to-face interpreting is unnecessary or impractical but visual communication remains beneficial.
Our service supports healthcare providers, local authorities, education, housing, social care, businesses and other organisations requiring accessible and reliable communication.
What is video interpreting?
Video interpreting (VI), often referred to as Video Remote Interpreting or VRI, enables a professional interpreter to join a conversation remotely through a secure video connection.
Participants can see and hear the interpreter in real time without requiring them to travel to the appointment location.
This combines many of the visual benefits of face-to-face interpreting with the flexibility and speed of remote access.
VI can be particularly useful where facial expressions, body language and other visual cues contribute to effective communication, or where participants prefer visual interaction rather than telephone communication.
Why use video interpreting?
Video interpreting provides organisations with a flexible way to access professional language support while reducing many of the geographical and logistical restrictions associated with physical attendance.
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It can be particularly effective for:
Healthcare consultations and appointments
Mental health and therapy sessions
Local authority and social care services
Education meetings
Housing appointments
Remote and community-based services
Short-notice interpreting requirements
Multi-site organisations
Situations where visual communication is beneficial
Appointments where a suitable local interpreter is unavailable
Remote interpreting can also reduce unnecessary travel while giving organisations access to a wider pool of qualified interpreters.
For organisations operating across multiple sites, VI provides a scalable way to make professional language support available without requiring an interpreter to be physically present at every location.
Qualified and professionally vetted interpreters
The technology used to connect an interpreter is only one part of an effective video interpreting service.
Silent Sounds works with professional interpreters who are recruited and assessed through our established quality and compliance processes.
Depending on the assignment and service requirements, these checks can include professional qualifications and competency, identity and right-to-work verification, and enhanced DBS checks where appropriate.
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All interpreters are required to work in accordance with the Silent Sounds Code of Practice, including expectations relating to:
- Confidentiality
- Accuracy and impartiality
- Professional boundaries
- Safeguarding
- GDPR and information governance
- Cultural awareness and sensitivity
- Professional conduct
- Incident reporting and escalation
This gives commissioners confidence that they are accessing trained language professionals who understand both their linguistic responsibilities and the professional standards required when supporting sensitive or complex communication.
Video interpreting for spoken languages
Our spoken language video interpreting service enables organisations to communicate remotely with patients, service users, residents, families, customers and other individuals through a professional interpreter.
The interpreter joins the appointment by video and facilitates communication between all parties while remaining impartial throughout the conversation.
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Video interpreting (VI) can be particularly useful where visual interaction improves communication but the travel or logistical requirements associated with face-to-face interpreting are unnecessary.
The service can support both scheduled appointments and, depending on language availability, more immediate requirements.
On-demand BSL video interpreting
Silent Sounds also provides on-demand British Sign Language video interpreting, giving organisations rapid access to professional BSL communication support when a Deaf BSL user requires it.
Unlike services that depend entirely on pre-booked BSL appointments, our platform enables access to BSL interpreters on demand, subject to interpreter availability.
This can be particularly valuable within healthcare, reception environments, public-facing services and other situations where a Deaf person may require communication support without a pre-arranged appointment.
Our BSL video interpreting service complements our wider range of services for Deaf people and the Deaf community, including face-to-face BSL interpreting and specialist Deaf communication support.
Video interpreting across different sectors
Healthcare and NHS video interpreting
Video interpreting can provide NHS and healthcare professionals with rapid access to language support across hospitals, GP practices, community services, mental health services and other clinical environments.
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Remote access can be particularly beneficial for organisations operating across multiple clinical sites or serving geographically dispersed populations.
Silent Sounds also supports NHS organisations with our InterpretCart solution, which has been deployed within hospital environments to bring video interpreting directly to the point of care. InterpretCart is a mobile, medical-grade interpreting station that allows staff to move secure video access easily between wards, consultation rooms and departments.
Designed specifically for healthcare and other frontline settings, InterpretCart includes easy-move lockable wheels, height adjustment, secure tablet mounting and an easy-clean medical-grade finish, with antimicrobial components available to support infection-control requirements. It also includes built-in power options, discreet cable management and lockable storage, helping NHS teams maintain a practical, professional and ready-to-use interpreting resource.
This provides healthcare staff with immediate access to professional spoken-language and BSL interpreters without relying on personal devices or requiring an interpreter to be physically present at every location.
Local authority and social care video interpreting
Local authorities can use video interpreting for assessments, safeguarding discussions, children’s and adult services, housing-related conversations and other interactions with residents requiring language support.
Remote access allows interpreters to support appointments across multiple locations without the delays associated with travelling between sites.
Education video interpreting
Schools, colleges and other education providers can use video interpreting to communicate with parents and carers who have limited English proficiency.
This can include parent-teacher meetings, SEND and EHCP discussions, admissions meetings, safeguarding conversations and other important communications concerning a child’s education.
Housing video interpreting
Housing organisations can use video interpreting for tenancy matters, assessments, resident engagement, rehousing discussions, complaints, repairs and homelessness support.
The service enables housing teams to communicate with residents remotely while retaining the benefits of visual interaction.
Business and professional video interpreting
Video interpreting can also support businesses and professional organisations communicating with clients, employees, suppliers and other stakeholders across different languages.
This can include meetings, consultations, HR discussions, interviews and other professional conversations where clear communication is required.
Pre-booked and on-demand video interpreting
Silent Sounds supports both planned and on-demand video interpreting.
Pre-booked video interpreting is suitable for scheduled appointments where the language, time and expected duration are known in advance.
On-demand video interpreting provides greater flexibility where communication support is needed without significant advance notice.
Availability for on-demand services will depend on the language, interpreter availability and specific requirements of the assignment.
Offering both options enables organisations to establish planned interpreting provision while retaining flexibility for unexpected communication requirements.
Secure video interpreting
Interpreting can involve confidential, sensitive and highly personal information, particularly within healthcare, safeguarding, social care and public services.
Silent Sounds therefore places information security and confidentiality at the centre of its interpreting services.
Our organisational information-security controls are supported by ISO 27001 certification, Cyber Essentials Plus and established GDPR and information-governance procedures.
Interpreters are also subject to confidentiality requirements and professional standards governing how information is handled during assignments.
Built by our clients
At Silent Sounds, our technology is designed around the people who use it.
As demand for remote interpreting has grown, we have developed our video interpreting platform around the practical needs of our clients and the environments in which they access language services.
By listening to client feedback and understanding how organisations use interpreting in real-world settings, we have created a platform focused on accessibility, simplicity, reliability and ease of use.
The result is a video interpreting service developed with our clients, for our clients, helping organisations access professional language support quickly and efficiently wherever it is needed.
FAQ's
Is video interpreting available 24/7?
Yes. Silent Sounds’ Video Interpreting service is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Individual interpreter availability can vary according to language, time and the requirements of the assignment.
Which languages are available through video interpreting?
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Silent Sounds provides language services across more than 350 languages and many dialects, supported by a network of more than 11,500 interpreters.
Do you provide BSL Video Interpreting?
Yes. Silent Sounds provides British Sign Language video interpreting, including on-demand BSL support subject to interpreter availability. This complements our wider range of services for Deaf people and the Deaf community.
Can video interpreting be booked in advance?
Yes. Video interpreting can be pre-booked for scheduled appointments. On-demand access is also available for appropriate services and languages.
What equipment is needed for video interpreting?
Users require a compatible internet-connected device capable of supporting video and audio, such as a computer, tablet or suitable mobile device. A reliable internet connection is important for clear communication.
When should I use video interpreting instead of face-to-face interpreting?
Video interpreting can be suitable where visual interaction is beneficial but an interpreter does not need to be physically present. Face-to-face interpreting may remain preferable for particularly complex, sensitive or lengthy appointments.
Is video interpreting suitable for NHS and public-sector organisations?
Yes. Silent Sounds provides video interpreting for healthcare, local authorities, education, housing and other public-sector environments, as well as private and third-sector organisations.
Contact us
Telephone
01494 796030
Text/ FaceTime
07380599832
Out of hours (Deaf Services only)
Address
9-10 Manor Courtyard
Hughenden Avenue
High Wycombe
Buckinghamshire
HP13 5RE