Frequently Asked Questions for Public Sector translation orders

Can a council use a translation supplier without running a full tender?

Public sector bodies can procure translation services via an approved framework agreement without conducting a separate competitive tender. LingvoHouse is an approved supplier on three public sector frameworks: NHS Shared Business Services, ESPO, and the NOE CPC Language Services framework — awarded for the period 2024–2028. Where a council or NHS body is a member of one of these frameworks and the contract value falls within the applicable direct award threshold, LingvoHouse can be instructed directly. The framework reference documentation required for procurement records is available on request.

What is the difference between NHS SBS, ESPO, and NOE CPC for translation procurement?

All three are public sector framework agreements that allow member organisations to procure translation services from pre-approved suppliers without running a full tender. NHS SBS is primarily used by NHS trusts and health sector bodies. ESPO serves local authorities, educational institutions, and public bodies across England. NOE CPC — the NHS North of England Commercial Procurement Collaborative — covers NHS and public sector organisations in the North of England and awarded LingvoHouse as a Language Services supplier for 2024–2028. LingvoHouse can confirm which framework applies to a specific body on request.

Does a translation supplier need ISO certification to work with public sector bodies?

ISO certification is not always a mandatory requirement, but it is a standard indicator of quality and security governance that procurement teams use to assess suppliers. ISO 17100 confirms that a supplier operates a documented, two-stage translation process using qualified translators. ISO 27001 confirms that information security is managed to an independently audited standard — relevant for public bodies handling sensitive personal data, clinical information, or casework documents. LingvoHouse holds ISO 17100, ISO 27001, and ISO 9001 certifications, and can provide certification documentation as part of a supplier due diligence process.

What community languages should a council plan for when commissioning translation?

The languages required depend on the demographic profile of the local population, which varies significantly between authorities. Councils in urban areas with diverse communities frequently commission translation into Arabic, Urdu, Punjabi, Somali, Bengali, Polish, Romanian, and Mandarin Chinese alongside European languages. LingvoHouse covers more than 200 languages and can advise on language prioritisation based on a council’s specific community profile. For public health campaigns, election materials, and statutory communications, covering the most widely spoken community languages in the local area is a legal accessibility obligation under the Equality Act 2010.

How quickly can urgent public sector translation be turned around?

Same-day and overnight turnaround is available for qualifying document types and volumes. For urgent public health campaigns, emergency communications, or election materials requiring multiple languages to a fixed deadline, LingvoHouse assigns a dedicated project manager to coordinate all language versions against the publication schedule. For high-volume multi-language projects — for example, a twelve-language public health leaflet required within 48 hours — early instruction significantly improves the range of options available. Contact LingvoHouse via lingvohouse.com with document details and the required deadline to confirm what is achievable.

How does LingvoHouse handle sensitive or confidential public sector documents?

All projects are handled within ISO 27001-certified information security systems, with access restricted to the assigned translation team. LingvoHouse does not process client documents through third-party AI tools. For documents containing personal data — including casework correspondence, patient information, or welfare communications — LingvoHouse operates under a data processing agreement appropriate to UK GDPR requirements. Data processing documentation is available on request for public sector procurement teams.

Can LingvoHouse provide certified translation for legal and statutory documents?

Certified translation is available for statutory notices, legal declarations, immigration-related documents, and other materials where a formal certification statement is required. All translation work is carried out under LingvoHouse’s ISO 17100-certified workflow, providing an auditable process record. Where a document requires certification for use in legal proceedings or regulatory submission, this should be confirmed at instruction stage so the appropriate output format is produced.

Does LingvoHouse provide print-ready multilingual files for council publications?

Yes. Where translated documents must match an existing council-branded design — leaflets, posters, public notices, patient information — LingvoHouse handles multilingual DTP in-house, reflowing translated content into the original layout and producing print-ready PDF output to the council’s print specification. File formats supported include InDesign, PDF, Word, and Publisher. Right-to-left languages including Arabic and Urdu are typeset correctly as standard. For more on the full range of public sector translation services available, see LingvoHouse’s public sector translation services overview.