PIP/Capita - Interview, to record or not?

mamabuddah

OK so I think so far it's going well for my friend who applied, she has asked me to accompany her to her PIP/Capita assessment...I think this is good, or is everyone assessed this way.

I wouldn't claim to be the brightest and I know she wouldn't mind me saying that in her current state, neither is she.

It says on the Capita website that the assessment can be audio recorded, which sounds like a good idea, because of trying to remember everything that went on at the assessment.

QUESTION: Has anyone done this? Is it a good idea? Would it help in any further debate about an appeal for example.

EDIT: oops just read that at the end of the assessment you need 2 copies, one for you and one for them....sounds impossible to me to have that sort of equipment...but I'll ask the question anyway...lol

Thanks for any help.

Tolly_T

If you're able to get two tape recorders and run them both at the same time that will be acceptable. You do need to inform them in advance, and if possible get something in writing from them confirming this so they can't deny you've told them. They have to find an assessor that is willing to be recorded so give them enough time to sort it out.

I've read so many nightmare stories about lies being told that I think if there is any way that you can record the assessment it would be wise to do so. I've borrowed a couple of old tape dictaphones for when I have my assessment. If an assessor lies about something and you've got a tape to prove their lies you're in a far stronger position to challenge that one statement and also then possibly to discredit the report as a whole. If it's just your word and the word of your friend they'll probably believe the assessor because friends would be likely to lie for each other and assessors are obviously "professional" people who wouldn't lie on their reports!!!!!

For me also I know I'm likely to be very anxious in the assessment and I either might not come across how I think I have, or I might not even remember parts of the assessment so I need it recorded in order to be able to challenge what they say. It's too easy to get confused in stressful situations and some of these assessments last for well over an hour, that's a long time to remember every detail. I'd suggest you set it up and change the tapes if necessary so the assessor can't make any assumptions about your friend's ability based on their ability to swap a tape and press a button!!

NYM

Can't you request that they record it?

Ames

You can ask them to record it, but they don't have much equipment so it can add a long delay to getting an assessment.

There are a lot of horror stories on the internet, but don't forget that's because people don't usually talk about the good experiences.

mamabuddah

NYM wrote: »

Can't you request that they record it?

apparently not.

Tolly_T

For ESA they should record it if requested. For PIP it's not in their contract that they have to record it so it is the responsibility of the claimant to record it. They've made it as difficult as possible. If they allowed digital recording it would be so easy just to record it on a laptop and then save it to a disc, or email it to them, before you leave. How many people have tape recorders these days? How many people are able to record to a CD in any way other than on a laptop/PC which isn't allowed? It might be worth asking them if they will record it for you but as they don't have much equipment I expect they try to keep it available for ESA claims when they have to use it if requested rather than tie it up for PIP assessments.

I do believe there are good assessors. I've talked to quite a few people who have had good assessments and got the award they expected. I think we should hope to get a good assessor while protecting ourselves from the poor assessors if possible. It's not possible to tell at the time, the forums regularly have reports of people coming out very positive thinking the assessor was very understanding and positive and then the report was completely the opposite. I think a poor assessor who regularly lies might think twice if they're aware they're being recorded so that might just reduce your chance of having to go through a stressful appeal. So, you end up with a higher chance of getting a good result and if you get a bad result you've got a recording of the assessment should you need it later for an appeal.

HB58

It's not a matter of having enough recording equipment. DWP told Capita/ATOS that they do not have to provide recordings of the assessments. So they don't. It is always up to the claimant to provide the equipment if they want the PIP interview recorded.