PIP Inappropriate question during telephone assessment.

carlos1973

I had a telephone assessment today and one question in particular struck me as odd and inappropriate.

I was asked "Do you want your children?" I replied  pardon and was asked again "Do you actually want your kids?"

This was during a period of questions about mobility and how I struggle to walk them to school and also how my anxiety and mental health further compounds this.

I had already explained that I had been in an coercive and controlling relationship, in which my ex also abused the children, and that after a suicide attempt caused by false allegations of abuse I had fought to clear my name, get my kids out of care and settled safely with myself.

I told them that I had fought for 4 1/2 years to get where I am now but that physical problems and mental health issues still means I struggle and that I thought the question was ridiculous, of course I want them!

What I can't understand is the relevance of such a question and I also don't know if I can raise any concerns with DWP.

powerful_Rogue

carlos1973 said:

I had a telephone assessment today and one question in particular struck me as odd and inappropriate.

I was asked "Do you want your children?" I replied  pardon and was asked again "Do you actually want your kids?"

This was during a period of questions about mobility and how I struggle to walk them to school and also how my anxiety and mental health further compounds this.

I had already explained that I had been in an coercive and controlling relationship, in which my ex also abused the children, and that after a suicide attempt caused by false allegations of abuse I had fought to clear my name, get my kids out of care and settled safely with myself.

I told them that I had fought for 4 1/2 years to get where I am now but that physical problems and mental health issues still means I struggle and that I thought the question was ridiculous, of course I want them!

What I can't understand is the relevance of such a question and I also don't know if I can raise any concerns with DWP.

What's the concern? You answered honestly.

Hopefully if they ask that question and someone says 'No' - the right precautions can be put in place for the safeguarding of the children.

carlos1973

If someone was applying for PIP because they were blind or had lost a leg would they be asked Did you want your leg? Do you want to see?

I don't think Safeguarding is an issue as when claiming UC I was never asked for you want them!

Alice_Holt

powerful_Rogue said:

carlos1973 said:

I had a telephone assessment today and one question in particular struck me as odd and inappropriate.

I was asked "Do you want your children?" I replied  pardon and was asked again "Do you actually want your kids?"

This was during a period of questions about mobility and how I struggle to walk them to school and also how my anxiety and mental health further compounds this.

I had already explained that I had been in an coercive and controlling relationship, in which my ex also abused the children, and that after a suicide attempt caused by false allegations of abuse I had fought to clear my name, get my kids out of care and settled safely with myself.

I told them that I had fought for 4 1/2 years to get where I am now but that physical problems and mental health issues still means I struggle and that I thought the question was ridiculous, of course I want them!

What I can't understand is the relevance of such a question and I also don't know if I can raise any concerns with DWP.

What's the concern?

      Firstly the question doesn't relate to any of the PIP criteria. It has no place or purpose in a PIP assessment.

     Secondly (partially depending on the tone of the question) it could be viewed as discriminatory and dismissive of someone with disabilities.

   OP -  if you want to make a complaint
   
https://www.mypipassessment.co.uk/feedback/

   https://www.turn2us.org.uk/Benefit-guides/Challenging-a-Personal-Independence-Payment-decisi/Complain-about-a-PIP-decision#:~:text=The best way to start,reference number for your complaint.