In countries like Spain, where there is a weak or non-existent regulation of the profession of social interpreters, people from different backgrounds can be found interpreting: People who are out of work, cultural mediators, NGO volunteers, family members of the person in need of interpreting, and even prisoners. This situation does not help in considering interpreting as a profession, nor does it guarantee the rights of those involved since it generates confusion about the expectations of the users with respect to the interpreter and about the interpreter's perceived functions. This paper looks at this reality and reflects on the role of the social interpreter, his/her limits, and the problems caused precisely by their lack of resolution. The situation in other countries is referred to in which social interpreting has already gained certain recognition. The different solutions that these countries have applied are considred as well, and whether or not they could be applied to the case of Spain is determined.