Language access provision
The interpreting and translation team provides interpreting and translation services for the council and other public services. Our aim is to make services accessible to people unable to communicate in English.
We arrange interpreters for people who do not have enough English to understand their legal rights, medical advice or their financial or other responsibilities.
Our interpreters work to a strict code of ethics, respect and confidentiality as well as having many years of experience.
There is a charge for the service. It is the responsibility of departments and organisations to book the interpreter, not the individual. For charges please contact the interpreting and translation team.
If your organisation needs an interpreter please contact us for more information.
Customers who need an interpreter should contact the service they want to access and the service will arrange for an interpreter.
We are open Monday to Thursday 9 am to 5 pm, and Friday 9 am to 4.30 pm (excluding bank holidays).
Speaking to the council
If you would like to speak to someone in your own language about a council service please call us on 0113 222 4444.
When you are connected to one of our advisors, please tell them the name of your language. You will then be asked to wait while the advisor contacts an interpreter.
If you prefer to speak to someone face-to-face about a council service, you can visit one of the council’s one stop centres. They are based across the city and can arrange for an interpreter to help you with your enquiry.
Learning English
If you are interested in learning English there are a number of organisations in Leeds that may be able to help. Please refer to links to the right of this page.
We have updated the language point poster that allows customers who do not speak English to point to their language. Staff can then ring the team for an interpreter. If you would like posters please let us know.