Recording the assessment - Did it work?

Hello all,

I have written and asked if I will be allowed to record the assessment.

I wondered how many of you have recorded your assessments and still had problems or whether, once the assessor realises that it is being recorded, that they actually stick to the facts rather than fabricate their own version of events which seems to happen all to frequently...

I need to buy device/devices to make the recordings as I only currently have the means to record digitally. Can anyone recommend what they used please?

Many thanks

Hello Loubs
I'm afraid in my experience (3 for ESA) of having the WCA recorded makes no difference to the assessor writing their own 'version' of what happened, but at least when you ask for the MR or go to appeal, you have the evidence of what actually happened.
I find that I immediately forget what was said in the assessment anyway, so it is a good way of me remembering what was said.
I am currently preparing for appeal of both ESA (recorded) and PIP (not recorded), and both reports were full of lies and assumptions anyway. Luckily a friend accompanied me to both assessments, and I have the recording, and with the guides on this site, I feel as prepared as I can be.

The whole thing is extremely stressful though, but my advice would be, definitely get your assessment recorded. You never know, you may get an assessor who reports the truth because they know they're being recorded

I have had two assessments, the first one wasnt recorded the second one was at my request. Both assessments were similar in format and it didnt make any difference as to how the assessors behaved or conducted the assessment. Both times I was placed in the Support Group, the fist one for two years and my latest one three years. It was god to be able to come home and listen to it though, just in case the outcome had been different. I didnt buy recording equipment I requested the WCA was recorded and ther.e was no problem.

I have had a differencet experience to Fit@60.

Four assesments two recorded.
Unrecorded assessments Horrendous we appealed both won one and made formal complaints to NMC about the Nurses.

Both recorded assessments resulted in Support Group for ESA and Standard Care/Enhanced Mobility for PIP.

Should realy have been awarded enhance Living for the recorded PIP but decided to appeal because award of PIp for Ten years, which is as rare as Rockin Horse poo and enhance Mobility was important for us.

The ESA .succesful asessment was with a Doctor the others all Nurses

Thank you for your replies.

It will be for a PIP assessment, not ESA (Which I am now in the support group for after a MR).

I will buy 2 of the cassette recorders when I get a date for the assessment and will make sure that I keep them to also record any other assessments or meetings that I end up having to need.

My ESA debacle was before I became physically affected by my conditions and was based purely on the fact that I am a total looney toon.

I'm really worried about the assessment, which we all are, but I am trying to look at getting past the assessment and then its a case of just waiting to see what is said and how much of what they decide is actually true.