tribrunal date threw but do not think DD can cope

when_will_it_end

hi all

finaly had the tribrunal date threw, 27th april.
i do not know though if my DD will able to cope with the actual day and the proceedings

can anyone shed light on what will happen, what will be expected of her and maybe what type of questions will she be required to answer

i will be there and hopefully the welfare advice worker

i know they allow for a break if needed, i am sure they will be needed, but how many is to many for it to look bad?

i did enquire about her not having to attend but have been told that she will have to go, what would happen if she refuses to go in to the room?

just need to know what may or may not happen

thanks

TOBRUK

Hi when will it end, I have been to 2 tribunals in the past - and won.

Now firstly it is never as bad as you imagine! How old is your daughter? I took a family member with me for support although they did not say anything.

You go into a room where there is a panel of 3-4 people and (in my case)you sit down across a large table.

They can ask anything but they do not rush you at all. I would advise to listen carefully what they ask and take your time to answer.

I was then sent out of the room for a short while and then called back in to be given the decision. It is not like a court so do not worry.

I would advise that your daughter does attend as she has a better chance of winning her case.
Good luck.

when_will_it_end

thanks for replying

my DD is 17 but finds it hard to comunicate with stangers, i know she will look for me to answer the questions as she will panic, can i do this?

i am also worried about her being so scared that she will not actually enter the room, getting her in to manchester town center will be another hard thing to contend with

what would happen if this was to happen?

TOBRUK

I'm sorry but Ican't tell you what will happen and I don't know what anyone could tell you if this were to happen! Only you know your daughter and her condition. She is 17 ... can you reason with her? I know there is a doctor on the panel (usually) if this helps.

when_will_it_end

TOBRUK wrote: »

I'm sorry but Ican't tell you what will happen and I don't know what anyone could tell you if this were to happen! Only you know your daughter and her condition. She is 17 ... can you reason with her? I know there is a doctor on the panel (usually) if this helps.

i supose the hardest thing is as the BP makes her unpredictable from one day to the next i can only plan on it being a bad day and guess on the worse case senario
on the other hand she may be on a good day and all of this will not matter

i just need to be prepared

TOBRUK

I understand. All I can say is try and keep her calm and explain that it is just a room (not like a courtroom) with a handful of people just wanting to ask her a few questions - it doesn't last very long.

The only other thing I perhaps would do is to speak to her GP and see what he/she advises. I do know that it would be better for her to attend - whatever happens.

Torry_Quine

Worriedwife wrote: »

You asked a simple question. The simple answer is nothing will happen. No one has to go into the room if they don't want to.
There is nothing stopping her getting to the front door and going straight back home.

No one can force anybody to attend these hearings.

I know that you have said this because of your current situation but to be honest it doesn't help the OP. She is looking for advice as to how to help her daughter who if she doesn't attend has less chance of winning her tribunal.

TOBRUK

Worriedwife wrote: »

You asked a simple question. The simple answer is nothing will happen. No one has to go into the room if they don't want to.
There is nothing stopping her getting to the front door and going straight back home.

No one can force anybody to attend these hearings.

This is true, however, it could affect the outcome of her claim. She has decided to go to tribunal because she did not agree with the DLA decision. If she can't go through with the tribunal it may be that they will not change their decision. It may be wise to send them any documents prior to the tribunal to back up her claim in case she can't attend.

when_will_it_end

do you think if i had my doctor write a note explaining how her illness may affect her behavour and take that with me, should anything happen would it help?

TOBRUK

If you are asking me the answer is I don't know I'm sorry, I don't know how they work! I can't see what harm it would do, and I do think that your GP should be kept informed .... does your GP know that she is going to tribunal and what does he/she think? Have you discussed this with your GP?

when_will_it_end

i have not talked to the GP but have had a word with her psychiatrist who does think if she is on a bad day she would not be able to cope with them asking to many questions, especially if she does not understand what they mean, she will just get panicky, maybe get upset and want to leave
this is the bit i am not looking forward to if it happens as i do not know what they will be thinking and how the descision may be affected

i am just hoping that if they ask her and she does not or can not answer they will allow me or the welfare rights person to answer for her