welsh language scheme

WELSH LANGUAGE
SCHEME
2012/ 2013 Monitoring Report
To be a world class organisation
MID & WEST WALES FIRE & RESCUE AUTHORITY
WELSH LANGUAGE SCHEME
2012/ 2013 MONITORING REPORT
Contents
1.
Compliance with the Welsh Language Scheme
2.
Frontline Services
3.
Management and Administration of the Scheme
4.
Welsh Language Skills
5.
Mainstreaming the Welsh Language
6.
Performance Analysis
1
1.0
Compliance with the Welsh Language Scheme
a.
Report against each target within the timetable or action plan
The Service’s Welsh Language Scheme for 2010-13 outlines how the Service will
continue to abide by the principle that in the conduct of public business in Wales, it will
treat the English and Welsh languages on the basis of equality.
This monitoring report outlines the progress made by Mid and West Wales Fire and
Rescue Service during the period 1st April 2012 to 31st March 2013 in delivering services
in accordance with its Welsh Language Scheme. The report has been structured in line
with guidelines provided by the Welsh Language Commissioner.
The Service has attempted to adopt an incremental and inclusive approach in the
implementation of its Welsh Language Scheme and has sought to ensure that all
requirements are carried out with sensitivity and positive encouragement. During this
time the Service has invested both time and resources to ensure compliance with the
Scheme and has committed to further doing so in the coming year.
The continued progress achieved during the reporting period is outlined in Appendix 1,
entitled ‘Welsh Language Scheme Action Plan’.
b)
This could include supplementary targets such as those resulting from
complaints or investigations.
No complaints or investigations have been undertaken in relation to the Welsh
Language and therefore no supplementary targets have been introduced.
2.0
Frontline Services
a) Data and information with regard to language skills and provision in
reception areas and contact centres.
WLI 2 – number and percentage of main reception posts designated as Welsh
essential and percentage of those posts filled by bilingual speakers.
The Service continues to offer a fully bilingual reception service for visitors and
telephone callers. Our main reception area is located in Fire Service HQ in Carmarthen.
Of the two frontline posts on the reception areas 100% of the posts are deemed Welsh
essential and 100% of the staff are fluent Welsh speakers. Furthermore, the additional
four members of staff who provide cover for the reception area, as required, are fully
bilingual.
2
A comprehensive breakdown of their Welsh Language abilities are as follows:
Level of Welsh language skills
0=no skills
5=fluent
Understand
Speak
Read
Write
0
-
1
-
2
-
3
1 (17%)
4
2 (33%)
3 (50%)
4 (67%)
3 (50%)
5
4 (67%)
3 (50%)
2 (33%)
2 (33%)
Receptionists at our Headquarters site in Carmarthen receiving telephone calls from the
public give a bilingual greeting, via a pre-recorded message, which demonstrate to
members of the public that the Service applies the principle of equality to the Welsh and
English languages.
The Service continues to update its directory of Welsh speaking officers who assist with
queries from members of the public who wish to conduct their business in Welsh. This
information is published on the intranet and updated annually.
3.
Management and Administration of the Scheme
a) Report on requirements in relation to the Welsh language in contracts and
an explanation of any arrangements to review or strengthen the
consideration given to the Welsh Language
WLI 1 - The Number and Percentage of Third Party organisations monitored
which were complying with the requirements of the Welsh Language Scheme
All Authority contracts are chanelled through the Procurement Unit and Procurement
Officers are aware of the need to include details of duties and are able to help
departments prepare these. Tender documentation is available bilingually, enabling the
Service to cater for paper exercises in either language. Furthermore, the Head of
Procurement and Procurement Manager have previously attended training seminars in
relation to public sector contract and the Welsh Language and are therefore aware of
the requirements of the Welsh Language Scheme.
Language requirements are considered at pre procurement planning meetings using a
Sustainable Risk Assessment (SRA) tool. The Service has also participated in the
development of the Welsh Public Sector Supplier Qualification Information Database
(SQuID), which contains a standard set of selection stage questions, enabling the
Service to develop suitable pre-qualification questionnaires to ensure quality and
consistency.
3
The Welsh language section would cover any previous breaches of the Welsh Language
Scheme and any questions relevant to the specific contract being set up. Specific
language requirements are then included in the Invitation to Tender or supporting
documentation stage of the process, as appropriate. Examples of contracts with
language implications include the development of a multi agency centre in terms of
signage and compliance with each agency’s language schemes, Rural Response Pump
livery contract in terms of signage and an Audio Visual Contract in terms of translation
facilities.
The central contract register held within the Service’s Procurement department has not
identified any contracts whereby Third Party organisations are providing services to the
public on our behalf.
b) Evidence that there are robust governance and internal scrutiny
Executive responsibility for the Welsh Language Scheme rests directly with the Deputy
Chief Fire Officer who takes an active and robust interest in our delivery of services
through the medium of Welsh and is himself a Welsh learner. Furthermore, the Deputy
Chief Fire Officer, is represented on the Service’s Senior Management Team “Policy
Board” who are responsible for long and short term organisational goals through
formulating service policy; this ensures that the Welsh Language implications are
considered at a strategic level.
The Chair of the Fire Authority has specific responsibility for the Welsh Language in his
portfolio and his duties include raising awareness of Welsh Language issues, ensuring
language choice and chairing bilingual meetings of the Fire Authority.
The Democratic Services Officer is responsible for coordinating the application of the
Scheme throughout the Service under the direction of the Head of Corporate
Communications and Democratic Services. Corporate Directors, Heads of Command
and Heads of Department are responsible for complying with the respective
requirements contained within the Scheme.
Progress reports are discussed at the Welsh Language Forum as a means of tracking
the delivery of the commitments contained within the Welsh Language Scheme.
The Service operates a monitoring system as a means of recording its provision of
Welsh Language services in key areas of service delivery. Last year’s monitoring report
identified some cases of non compliance in relation to English-only correspondence
being issued to customers were language preference was unknown. This has since
been rectified with the publication of a ‘dealing with the public’ guidance document for
Members of staff, together with the provision of a ‘Welsh Language Awareness and
compliance’ course for key members of staff within each department and command.
Furthermore, the Service’s external team of Mystery Shoppers will be specifically
concentrating on written correspondence during 2012/13 to ensure that standards are
maintained. Analysis of the monitoring information during 2012/13 has shown:
4
During the reporting period a total of 36,617 calls were made to reception, 319 (1%) of
which were received in Welsh. All calls received in Welsh were dealt with in the
language choice of the customer.
All public consultations undertaken by the Service have been conducted bilingually or in
English or Welsh, according to the preference of the consultee, including the use of
social media, press releases, letters, emails and radio messages. Furthermore fluent
Welsh speakers and /or simultaneous translation facilities were made available at every
public engagement event. Of the 255 responses to the consultation, a total of 3 (1%) of
respondents submitted a consultation response in Welsh during 2012/13.
Simultaneous translation facilities were made available at every meeting of the Fire
Authority during 2012/13.
Correspondence has been issued bilingually or according to the language preference of
customers.
Home Fire Safety Checks (HFSCs) have been offered through the medium of Welsh
and English to facilitate customer language preference. A dedicated bilingual telephone
line is available for those wishing to book a free home fire safety check through the
medium of Welsh. HFSCs are prioritised according to areas of risk and of the 18,299
HFSCs undertaken during the reporting period, 508 were conducted through the
medium of Welsh, equating to 3%; this figure remains consistent with the 2011/12
reporting period. Below is a breakdown of HFSCs undertaken within each Command:
01.04.12
–
31.03.13
Powys
Neath
Port
Talbot
Ceredigion
Carmarthen
Swansea
Pembrokeshire
Totals
Carried
out in
Welsh
Carried
out in
English
11
37
109
316
18
17
508
3332
3680
1244
3192
4804
1539
17791
The Community Safety Department interfaces with members of the public on a regular
basis and always consider bilingual requirements when doing so. A major part of the
department’s work is delivering fire safety messages to schools and language
preference is determined at the initial contact stage, with all education materials being
bilingual. All Welsh schools receive mandatory Fire Safety talks through the medium of
Welsh and arrangements are in place to ensure that all requests for Welsh Fire Safety
talks are delivered through the medium of Welsh. A review within the department has
identified the requirement to advertise all new School Liaison Officer appointments as
Welsh Essential posts.
5
c) Information on the extent to which departmental business plans relate to the
language scheme and including appropriate references and targets.
A section on Welsh Language has been incorporated into the Service’s Strategic Plan
2010-15 and associated Annual Improvement Plans in order to highlight the strategic
value placed on Welsh Language and to emphasise the Service’s bilingual corporate
identity. Furthermore, the Annual Improvement Report was published by the Auditor
General in 2013, providing an independent account of how the Service was planning for
improvement and delivering their services to the public. The report confirmed that the
Service continued to develop its provision of Welsh language services to the public.
Work has commenced to objectively assess the Welsh language requirement of each
post which will provide the Service with a gap analysis that will be appropriately
addressed through the Service’s Performance Management System.
d) Summary of valid complaints received and action taken.
WLI6 – The number of complaints received about the implementation of the
Welsh Language Scheme and the % of complaints dealt with in line with the
organisation’s corporate standards.
No complaints have been received relating to the operation of the Welsh Language
Scheme during 2012/13.
e) Evidence of arrangements for ensuring the quality of Welsh language
content on the corporate website / plans for increasing and improving Welsh
language content.
An independent verification exercise undertaken during the 2010/11 reporting period
highlighted that the Service scored a 96% rating in terms of Welsh language content and
a score of 100% for availability of Welsh pages.
The Website Development Officers are aware of the requirement to upload all
information bilingually, other than in instances which could affect the health and safety of
members of the public. The Service utilise translators who are Members of the
Association of Welsh Translators and Interpreters as a means of ensuring quality of
service.
6
4.
Welsh Language Skills
a) Better information on the workforce’s Welsh language skills and a report on
the data
WLI 5 - The number and % of staff working for the Service who can speak Welsh:
By service division
By post grade
By workplace
The Service undertakes a biennial Linguistic Skills Audit. The last audit was carried out
in February 2012 whereby all members of staff were requested to self assess their
Welsh language abilities. The aim of the exercise was to obtain up to date information
to allow the Service to assess current Welsh language provision and implement
improvement strategies where shortage of Welsh speakers had been identified.
A total of 1401 questionnaires were issued and 1067 returned which equates to a 76%
return rate. A detailed breakdown of the results according to workplace location and
grade/rank is available in Appendix 2.
The Service is pleased to report that we have a pleasing number of proficient Welsh
speakers working within the organisation. Of the returned questionnaires 28% are able
to speak Welsh at level 3 and above.
Linguistic Ability by Post Grade
80
67
70
55
60
24
33
28
40
29
25
10
32
20
17
20
33
Grade 8
29
50
40
Grade 7
40
40
Grade 15
Grade 11
Grade 10
Grade 9
Grade 6
Grade 5
Grade 4
Grade 3
Grade 2
Executive
Board
Area
Manager
Group
Manager
Station
Manager
Watch
Manager
Crew
Manager
0
0
Grade 1
30
50
46
50
Firefighter
% Welsh Language Ability
Welsh Language Skills (Level 3 and Above) by Post / Grade
Post / Grade
The above graph demonstrates an overall sufficient Welsh language ability across the
range of posts and grades within the Service.
7
b) Evidence of investment in Welsh language training and an explanation of
other action taken to improve workforce skills during a period of
constraints on external recruitment
The Service takes the view that it is particularly important that managers consistently
and visibly demonstrate their commitment to the Welsh Language by highlighting the
importance of the Scheme and motivating employees to learn the Welsh Language.
During the reporting period two Principal Officers, namely Chief Fire Officer Richard
Smith and Deputy Chief Fire Officer Paul Bates, have continued to demonstrate their
commitment to learning Welsh via a one-to-one Welsh language learning programme.
The Chief Fire Officer successfully passed the Mynediad Course during 2012, with the
Deputy Chief Fire Officer taking the exam in 2013. Leading by example will help to
create a positive atmosphere and encourage a creative and learning culture within the
Service.
The Service is committed to developing the bilingual skills and the awareness of
employees in order to equip them with the right skills, knowledge and attitude that they
need to provide high quality services in the language preference of customers. There is
a specific section within the Individual Development Review process for members of
staff to indicate whether they would like to learn Welsh.
The Service offers Welsh language courses to members of staff with a view to improving
the benefits to staff, the Service and members of the public. A review of Welsh
language training undertaken during the reporting period replaced the weekly Welsh
classes with one-day monthly classes, based at Service Headquarters. This allows
members of staff from across the Service area to travel to Service Headquarters on a
monthly basis and enables learners to effectively plan and schedule their training and
development, which in turn improves the accessibility of classes. Furthermore, financial
support is available to any member of staff requesting to attend local Welsh classes
outside working hours.
In March 2013 a course was run for 11 senior officers and fire authority members on
communicating with the media; which provided Welsh speaking individuals with an ideal
opportunity to refine their media training through the medium of Welsh. The Service
believes that talking in Welsh with the media will strengthen our image among Welsh
speakers as a bilingual institution. It is therefore hoped that this course will be offered
again to expand the range of staff who are able to attend.
8
WLI 4 a)The number and % of staff trained in Welsh to a specific level of
qualification
Staff have attended the following courses throughout the reporting period:
Course
Number
Mynediad
13
Sylfaen
Canolradd
Cymraeg Graenus
Dealing with the
Media
Welsh language
awareness and
compliance
1
2
3
3
20
Although not all staff complete the Welsh Language course or take formal examinations,
the classes do provide an awareness of Welsh Language and culture which is important
to an Authority committed to its Welsh Language Scheme.
c) Evidence of improvement in the provision of language awareness training
WLI 4 b) The number and % of staff who have received language awareness
training.
Promoting the Welsh language is a key part of the Service’s equality agenda and
therefore Welsh Language Awareness has been embedded into the Service’s Equality
and Diversity Training Seminars. A total of 107 members of staff have received Welsh
Language Awareness training during this reporting period. This has raised staff
awareness of the importance of providing language choice for customers and provided
an insight into the legislative and moral issues relating to bilingualism.
During the reporting period the Service considered the introduction of an e-learning
Welsh Language Awareness module with an effective and flexible evaluation and
reporting solution. The procurement process should commence shortly.
9
5
Mainstreaming the Welsh Language
a) Information on arrangements for assessing the impact of policies on the
Welsh language and any action taken to review arrangements to ensure
appropriate assessments are conducted.
The Service has an Equality Risk Assessment Tool for screening new strategies and
revising existing ones. The Tool has a specific question relating to the Welsh Language
which enables language matters in respect of risks and opportunities to be identified at
an early stage of a plan’s development and addressed accordingly.
The Welsh language is also mainstreamed into Fire Authority and Policy Board
decisions as it is one of the specific business objectives that must be reported on for all
Fire Authority and Policy Board reports.
b) Information on any action taken to promote the wider use of Welsh
Regular articles continue to be reported in the Service’s quarterly Calon Tân magazine
with a dedicated ‘Cornel Cymraeg’ page in an effort to keep the Welsh Language
Scheme at the forefront of day to day activity.
In the run up to St Davids Day 2013 the Service held a ‘Love Wales Week / Wythnos
Caru Cymru’ in order to celebrate Welsh heritage. A number of activities were held
during the week to celebrate all things Welsh. Welsh cuisine was served in the dining
room which was decorated with bunting, flags, daffodils, recipe ideas and an information
board. Welsh learners and speakers were invited to join the Clwb Cinio Cymraeg and
local Welsh shop T-Hwnt supplied products and crafts which were sold on site. A range
of prizes were donated, including a hamper full of local Welsh produce, Pembertons
Chocolate, and many other donations from local businesses, with all proceeds going
towards the Firefighter’s Charity and Marie Curie. Along with these activities the intranet
was used to provide staff with key information, including their ‘5 a day’ – whereby five
new words, at various levels of Welsh, was provided for staff to learn each day.
The Service held ‘Clwb Cinio Cymraeg’ sessions which provided an opportunity for
Welsh learners and speakers to come together to converse through the medium of
Welsh in an informal setting. These sessions were tailored towards to individual needs
of learners to assist in their upcoming Welsh examinations.
10
6.
Performance Analysis
a) Examples of relevant good practice
Systems and procedures have been implemented which have set a firm foundation for
the recording of information, monitoring progress and mainstreaming the Welsh
language and these will continue to be further enhanced. There is also clear evidence
of leadership and commitment at corporate management and senior management level.
The Service’s intranet site includes a bilingual Welsh Corner and contains information
on the Welsh Language Scheme, opportunities to learn Welsh, guidance for staff and
Welsh Terminology. This is now considered a valuable communication tool to assist
staff in their day to day work and raise awareness of the Scheme.
The Service’s website is speech enabled in the English and Welsh languages, helping
those with any reading disability or who find it difficult reading on limited screen sizes.
Promotional items continue to be promulgated to members of staff at appropriate events
e.g. the ‘termiadur’ mutations checker, USBs, mousemats and pens etc.
‘Cymraeg’ stickers continue to be promulgated to welsh speaking members of staff to be
placed on helmets which enables Welsh speakers to be easily identified at operational
incidents.
A Welsh Learner’s CD has been produced in-house which includes a useful resource for
Members of staff learning at Entry / Foundation level. The resource includes a variety of
fire and rescue terminology to assist staff in using and practicing the language in their
day to day work.
New recruits are being consulted on their Welsh Language aptitude through
questionnaires contained within induction packs.
The Service provides opportunities for its employees to develop their language skills via
an in-house Welsh Language Class and the commitment to fund private study for staff
wishing to learn Welsh in their own time.
Analysis of collaborative Welsh Language improvement performance is undertaken at
the All Wales sub CFOA Welsh Language Group.
Welsh Language software such as To Bach and Cysgliad is provided to any member of
staff to facilitate employees to have a preferred language whilst executing their own jobs
and communicating with others. The Service currently has 41 Cysgliad software
licences in place for members of staff. It is also standard policy for all employees to use
bilingual out of office greetings, email signatures and voicemail answer phones.
11
b) Identify risks and priorities for 2013/14
An external company has been commissioned in order to assist the Service in providing
a body of objectively assessed linguistic requirements for each post across the
organisation. This audit of posts then enable the Service move forward to compare the
skills required with the actual skills already available within the workforce, and thus
identify any skills deficit, which will be appropriately managed through the Service’s
performance monitoring system. This will be a priority for the Service during the
2013/14 reporting period.
The 2011/12 Monitoring report recognised that more could be achieved in terms of
Language Awareness training. A procurement process should commence shortly to
introduce an e-learning Welsh Language Awareness module, together with an effective
and flexible evaluation and reporting solution. This will provide an effective, flexible and
cost effective way of providing mandatory Welsh language awareness to all members of
staff.
The Service recognises the need to regularly monitor and review its processes,
therefore, a review of the structure an role of the Welsh Language Forum will be
undertaken during 2013/14 to ensure that it is meeting the key functions that it is
expected to deliver.
c) Evidence of efforts to monitor quality of welsh language services and / or
service user surveys
Mystery Shopper exercises have been introduced as part of the Service’s continuing
effort to improve the level of service delivered to the public. The Independent Mystery
Shoppers undertake a range of tasks including visiting Fire Service premises and
making contact with the Service through a variety of channels available to the public
(telephone, email, letters and face-to-face) while acting as regular members of the public
to all members of the Service that they come into contact with. Reports are submitted to
the Democratic Services Officer and the evidence indicates a positive and sufficient
level of service delivery. In cases whereby standards are not met, the relevant
individuals and Head of Department are provided with information on compliance with
the Service’s Welsh Language Scheme and general customer service requirements.
The Service has adopted a Complaints, Compliments and Comments policy and are
very pleased to receive any comments from the public in order to enable an
improvement in the service provided. No feedback relating to the quality of Welsh
language services was received during the reporting period.
12
Appendix 1
Welsh Language Action Plan 2012-2013
Action
Responsible Officer
Progress
Develop advice and guidance for staff on the
implementation of the Welsh Language Scheme
and for dealing with the public through the
medium of Welsh.
Ensure a positive bilingual image at reception
points including HQ and the Commands
Welsh Language Officer
Complete. This guidance was updated and
published on the Welsh Corner site of the
Service intranet.
Welsh Language Officer
The Iaith Gwaith Scheme has been adopted
within the reception area. The receptionists
greet visitors bilingually, wear a badge to
indicate that they are fluent in Welsh and
there is also a sign welcoming visitors to
speak in their language of choice.
3
Ensure the database of Welsh speaking staff is
updated regularly and publicised on the intranet
Welsh Language Officer
This data is made available to all staff via the
Intranet and is updated accordingly.
4
Monitor and record the number of requests for
Home Fire Safety Checks (HFSCs) in Welsh via
the CFRMIS database
Head of Community Fire
Safety
5
Monitor marketing literature issued by the
Community Safety Department
6
Introduce a mystery customer exercise to
measure customer service standards and
compliance with Welsh language service provision
Welsh Language Officer
/ Communications
Officer
Welsh Language Officer
Recording of HFSCs undertaken through the
medium of Welsh commenced in April 2010.
3% of HFSCs were undertaken through the
medium of Welsh during the reporting period.
All marketing literature have been issued
bilingually.
1
2
Ongoing. Mystery shopper exercises
commenced in April 2011. See section 6c
for further details.
13
7
Make sure that all staff use a bilingual e-signature
in line with the Welsh Language scheme and hold
informal monitoring to test compliance
Welsh Language Officer
A guidance document and bilingual template
has been issued to all members of staff and
published on the intranet to ensure that email
auto signatures are completed bilingually.
Mystery shopper exercises comprise
monitoring of emails.
8
Number and % of emergency calls that were
successfully dealt with in Welsh
Welsh Language Officer
and Head of Control
All emergency calls received in Welsh have
been successfully dealt with in Welsh.
9
The number of complaints from sources not
including staff or their representatives about the
implementation of the Welsh Language Scheme
and the % of complaints that were dealt with, in
accordance with the standards set by the
Authority
Welsh Language Officer
No complaints were received in relation to
the implementation of the Welsh Language
Scheme during the reporting period.
10
Monitor % of telephone calls received in Welsh
Office Manager
1% of all telephone calls to the HQ reception
were received in Welsh.
11
Update the database of stakeholder language
preference as required and disseminate to all
staff.
Welsh Language Officer
This data is made available to all staff via the
Intranet.
12
Ensure that 10% of staff enrol on a training
programme to learn or improve their Welsh
language skills
Welsh Language Officer
The Service continues to internally promote
the availability of Welsh classes and
encourages employees to further enhance
their Welsh language skills. Unfortunately
we have not met our aim of ensuring that
10% of employees enrol on a training
programme, however the audit of welsh
14
essential posts will enable the Service to
target training to areas of need. This target
will then be revised, as appropriate.
13
Assess the current linguistic profile of our staff via
bi-annual Welsh Language skills audit
Head of Human
Resources
Support:
Welsh Language Officer
Complete. See section 4a for further details.
14
% and number of main reception roles that are
designated Welsh essential and were filled by
bilingual staff
Head of Human
Resources
Of the two frontline posts on the reception
areas 100% of the posts are deemed Welsh
essential and 100% of the staff are fluent
Welsh speakers. Furthermore, the additional
four members of staff who provide cover for
the reception area, as required, are fully
bilingual. See section 2a for further details
15
Ensure that 70% of staff receive Welsh language
awareness training
Welsh Language Officer
Unfortunately we have not met our aim of
ensuring that 70% of employees receive
Welsh language awareness training,
however the introduction of an online Welsh
language Awareness e-module will resolve
this issue during the 2013/14 reporting
period. It is therefore envisaged that the next
monitoring report will see a vast
improvement in this area.
16
Ensure all new recruits who join the service
receive Welsh language awareness training
Welsh Language Officer
This is currently undertaken as part of the
induction process, however during the next
reporting period an e-learning module will be
introduced.
15
17
Introduce skills specific Welsh classes for staff to
include Mynediad, Canolradd & Hyfedredd
Welsh Language Officer
In house classes are available for those
learning Mynediad, Sylfaen and Canolradd.
The Service has also made a commitment to
fund private study for any member of staff to
learn at any level.
18
Extend Welsh Language classes to other
geographical sites in line with learning
requirements
Welsh Language Officer
The Service had reviewed its Welsh
Language training provision and has
resolved to provide in-house classes at
Service Headquarters to ensure the most
effective use of resources.
19
Monitor progress of all staff receiving Welsh
language training.
Welsh Language Officer
The Welsh language tutor monitors the
progress of learners.
20
Undertake Welsh Press & Media training for
relevant Officers
Three members of staff undertook this
course bilingually during the reporting period.
21
Obtain individual progress reports for all Welsh
learners
Media &
Communications
Manager
Welsh Language Officer
22
Monitor provision of translation services quarterly,
including simultaneous translation.
Welsh Language Officer
A system has been developed in order to
monitor the amount of translations
undertaken. The system identifies the type of
material being translated and use of
translation services by department. It also
measures the amount of translations
returned within specific timescales to ensure
Quarterly monitoring reports are prepared by
the Welsh tutor and submitted to the Welsh
Language Officer. All learners receive
feedback on progress.
16
efficient and effective services are provided.
23
Develop advice and guidance for third parties on
the implementation of the Welsh Language
Scheme.
Head of Procurement
24
Ensure that 90% of calls received are dealt with in
the language choice of the caller.
Office Manager
100% of calls received at HQ reception were
dealt with in the language choice of the
caller. The receptionists have received
relevant guidance on how to establish and
cater for the language preference of
customers.
25
% of recruitment adverts Welsh only, Bilingual,
English only.
Head of Human
Resources
100% of external vacancies were advertised
bilingually during the reporting period.
26
% of Welsh interviews offered and undertaken.
Head of Human
Resources
Interviews through the medium of Welsh are
offered to offered to any posts identified as
Welsh essential. The Service’s statistics
show that no interviews were requested
through the medium of Welsh during the
reporting period.
27
% and number of jobs where Welsh desirable
posts are filled by staff with bilingual skills.
Head of Human
Resources
It is Service policy to specify the level of
Welsh required for Welsh essential posts. All
other posts are advertised as Welsh
desirable. See section 4a for further details
of Welsh speakers within the Service.
Support: Welsh
Language Officer
Currently the Service does not contract
services to Third Parties. Standard
information is included within the Contract
documentation.
17
28
Review workforce structure and undertake a gap
analysis to establish Welsh essential and Welsh
desirable posts.
Heads of Command /
Department
Support: Human
Resources Department
An assessment of Welsh language
requirements for each post was undertaken
during 2011/12. The assessment has
highlighted that further work is required in
this area to ensure that all posts are
assessed consistently and objectively across
the Service area and training will be provided
during 2012/13. See section 6.1 for further
details.
29
Review of status of the Welsh Language in
commissioning and procurement processes
Head of Procurement
Support: Welsh
Language Officer
This has been delayed in line with Value
Wales Procurement timescales whereby the
developments of Value Wales will form an
action plan for the Service’s Welsh Language
Procurement arrangements. It is envisaged
that responsibility may be passed on to the
National Procurement Service (NPS) which
will be introduced in the autumn of 2013.
30
Advice and guidance on language equality in
commissioning and procurement
As above.
31
Incorporation of the Welsh language into
tendering documents, contracts, agreements and
conditions
Submit annual performance report to the Welsh
Language Commissioner.
Head of Procurement
Support: Welsh
Language Officer
Head of Procurement
Support: Welsh
Language Officer
Welsh Language Officer
32
Complete. See section 31 for further details.
Annual monitoring reports are submitted to
the Welsh Language Comissioner within the
required timescales each year.
18