Audio recording PIP assessment

I have my pip assessment on Friday 18th at 10.30 in my home

I have had to change the appointment once already as they wanted to come at 9am and my carer couldnt get here early enough to get me up as I would need to get up at around 6.30am to be ready in time, so I was given a new time of 10.30am

I have today called ATOS to let them know I will be recording the assessment, to which I have had a rude response!! I was txt back and ordered to 'immediately' call them, they then said that the HP was not happy to be recorded, so basically tough luck! I did find it a bit strange that it only took them 11 minutes to call me back to tell me the HP wasnt happy, so makes me wonder if its a 'standard' response! I keep detailed records of time etc of phone calls.

I asked to speak to a superior or a HP and was told the HP's never speak to 'applicants' and they said I had to give 7 days notice if I wanted to record, I have only just managed to get hold of a tape to tape recorder, so didnt know I was able to record it until now, it says no where in the 'DWP PIP assessment guide' that I have to give 7 days notice .... so I quoted the following to them and made them actually write this down (which he did)....

Audio recording of PIP consultations
2.7.5. The recording of consultations by providers is not currently part of the specification for PIP assessments.
2.7.6. Claimants may use their own equipment to record their face-to-face consultation, should they wish to, subject to any reasonable conditions the Department chooses to impose on such recordings.
These reasonable conditions are:
• The claimant must inform the provider in advance that they wish to record their consultation. This is to allow the provider to ensure the HP scheduled to carry out the consultation is willing to be recorded. If the HP is unwilling to be recorded, an alternative appointment should be made with an HP who is willing'

I am now awaiting a call back

also reading the guide it also says this ..
'2.7.7. Providers must publicise these conditions and ideally include them in
communications sent to claimants before they attend a face-to-face
consultation.'
they DID NOT ... it says nowhere in the letter I was sent informing me such

can you please advise me if I am correct in this situation? and what could I do next to ensure I record the assessment

many thanks

thank you Gordon
I have followed your instructions.

thank you for the advice, yes I read the guidelines for recording and have obtained a double tape recorder that can tape simultaneously.
yes I will have someone with me..

my original question was could you please advise me if I am correct in this situation stating that I dont have to give 7 days notice? and what do I do if they refuse to let me record it ?

many thanks

Lynn wrote: thank you Gordon
I have followed your instructions.

thank you for the advice, yes I read the guidelines for recording and have obtained a double tape recorder that can tape simultaneously.
yes I will have someone with me..

my original question was could you please advise me if I am correct in this situation stating that I dont have to give 7 days notice? and what do I do if they refuse to let me record it ?

many thanks

Hi L,

I am not sure about the 7 days notice, but we do know that ATOS/Capita do have to give the claimant 7 days notice for an appointment for a face to face.

I am also not sure that there is much that you could do if they refused permission for you to record the assessment.

You could involve your M.P. : Contacting your MP

I always advise members to request permission to record their face to face as early on in the process as possible to avoid this situation, preferably with your PIP 2 Form when you return that.

Good luck !!

bro58

thank you
well I will just have to wait and see when the HP arrives tomorrow if they let me record as I never got a call back from the manager!
thanks for the advice about asking my MP, I will def do that if it comes to it, I feel they are taking away my rights by not letting me record when I have given them notice, I have really bad memory problems!

Ill let you know, thanks again