PiP Telephone Assessment when non-verbal

My daughter was diagnosed with ASD & a learning Disability. We applied for PiP in February 21 & included the diagnostic evidence explaining she is non-verbal in all situations with unfamiliar people/strangers. We received a phone call from DWP in Feb stating she would need to have a telephone medical assessment and they wanted to confirm that her sister would be speaking on her behalf. We have waited 10 weeks for the assessment which was scheduled for 8am this morning by Capita. The assessor stated that she would not accept anyone speaking on behalf of my daughter (the claimant) and that either she speaks herself or they will submit a failed assessment. We informed the assessor that she is non-verbal in these situations but they replied we need to speak to the DWP to apply for an appointee.
Does anyone else have experience of this and know how this process works?

Hi Natasha, firstly just to add my sympathy about how horrifically your family is being treated. secondly, could you use the opportunity of it being rescheduled to insist on it being recorded when it does take place? It sounds as though you could do with all the evidence you can get. I know the delay is uber-frustrating already but better an assessment you are well-equipped to challenge as necessary IMHO than a quicker one without the evidence.
If you can raise the energy, also look up the assessor's qualifications if you managed to get her name, and anyway put in a complaint to her employer as it was already agreed your daughter was not going to speak, if I have understood your post correctly
Best wishes for a successful outcome, Denby

Hi Catherine,

Thank you so very much for your response and link to previous messages for further information which was very helpful - thank you. We have now successfully applied for appointeeship. I remain frustrated with the DWP who never explained this process to us when they first contacted us by telephone in Feb to confirm my daughter would need someone to help her with the telephone assessment! Now the additional wait of a further 10 weeks for another appointment with Capita!

Hi Denby,
Thank you for your response and suggestions which are very helpful. I had been thinking of having a recording, as like you say I feel we may need it should we need evidence for an appeal, I will certainly look into getting this set up - thank you.