Assessor-in-training on telephone assessment

desbo2710

Had my pip assessment yesterday by telephone. Does anybody know if one assessor has to do the assessment as I had the manager listening in to my interview then jumping in and also asking me questions. Apparently the reason the manager was listening in was part of the training, the other assessor only introduced herself as Jenny. Also can I be asked hypothetical questions as the meaning of hypothetical is "questions based upon assumptions and not the facts". Thanks 

steve51

Hi @desbo2710

Good Morning & Welcome to our online community/family.

Yes it does sound like they were doing a training session.

It also looks like the manager was completing the questions that were being missed.

You can request the report to see if there was any hypothetical questions.

I do hope that this is okay?????

@steve51

desbo2710

Hi @steve51 thanks for your reply.  I knew I could request the report. I just thought it unusual that the manager would ask me questions as well. I doubt though that she was completing the questions as the assessor was speaking to me for a good 20 minutes then the manager jumped in asking me her questions then the assessor took at least another 50 minutes questioning me after the manager. I guess this is irrelevant though but I am hoping the manager accredited her name on the report also and that the assessor wasn't the only person asking me the questions. We shall see. Once again thanks for your help. 

steve51

Hi @desbo2710

No probs that’s my Pleasure.

I will pass your post onto a senior member here at Scope for you.

He will be able to help you further!!

Hi @Adrian_Scope

Can you please let me know if if you have any further questions????

@steve51

desbo2710

@steve51 at this moment in time I don't have any further questions. If I  do then I will be sure to mention you in my comments. Thanks 

steve51

Hi @desbo2710

That’s great & yes please 😃😃

@steve51

desbo2710

Hi @steve51 I do have a further question. I have been sending sick notes in since the beginning of January to universal credit. I began my pip claim at the end of January. My question is.  If I fail the pip assessment does this mean universal credit will use that assessment for pip as part of universal  credits work capabilities assessment or will universal credit send me for another assessment. I would just add I applied for pip off my own back and it wasn't universal credit who asked for the assessment to be done. Thanks 

steve51

Hi @desbo2710

No probs.

Here’s some info for you about Benefits I do hope that this will help??

https://www.scope.org.uk/advice-and-support/benefits-funding-extra-costs-of-being-disabled/

There is a Benefit Calculator that will also help.

https://www.scope.org.uk/advice-and-support/calculate-your-benefits/
 
Please please let me know if you need any further help????

@steve51

janer1967

Hi @desbo2710 Welcome on board. I am sure your PIP assessment will have had the manager listening in and asking questions as part of the assessors training and to make sure all the relevant questions were addressed.

As for your work capability assessment for UC they are completely separate and different benefits one outcome does not affect the other, however it is good sense to provide the WCA a copy of your PIP assessment if it is a positive outcome.

Fo example I got my PIP award without any issues but WCA I was found fit for work even though I was housebound and had to fight this through to tribunal before I was awarded LCWRA.

Good luck keep us uodated on the outcome

desbo2710

Thank you for your reply @janer1967 I will keep you updated. 

mikehughescq

In the absence of face to face assessments a second person on a call would be the only way to train a new HCP. It doesn't matter how many were on the call unless this was a specific issue for you. All that matters is that a report is done and forwarded to DWP. 

The idea of hypothetical questions in this context is meaningless. They don't know you. They only know what you've submitted so far. Based on that they will have certain assumptions and if those are wrong then it's on you to correct them. They can only ask questions based on assumptions because there are no "facts" as such until a DWP decision maker has decided what is or is not fact on the balance of probabilities. If they knew the answer to a question there would be no point in asking it! 

desbo2710

@mikehughescq thanks for your reply. I understand the need to train an assessor but what I dont understand is why the manager kept interrupting the assessment and then the manager decided to ask her own set of questions. Surely if you are training a person then the manager should of spoken to the other person by advising her what to ask me and not take it upon herself to do part of the assessment. To my knowledge an assessment should be done independently by one person and not by two people. I  thank you for your comments though and I will wait for the outcome of my report and will let yourself know along with others on my thread the results. Many thanks 

mikehughescq

Ideally a HCP assessment is face to face and one to one but there is nothing in the law nor guidance which limits it to that. If there were then no training could ever take place. The circumstances right now are not ideal. There would ideally be three stages of training. The teaching, followed by observation, followed by practise whilst being observed. A third party could listen in to a call without speaking but eventually they have to have a go. 

When someone has a go there is no way a manager would tell the trainee what to ask nor how to ask it. The areas you cover are dictated by the law and the answers given might lead you different routes for which no questions could be prepared in advance. The way in which you ask those questions us your own style, which takes time to develop. 

A manager might intervene only if they thought areas weren’t being covered in enough depth or to demonstrate which way your answers should have led the HCP. It’s not ideal and I’m sure it could be a little disconcerting but it still comes down to the same thing. All that matters is that you had an assessment and that the report goes to DWP. 

desbo2710

@steve51 @mikehughescq
Had a text from dwp saying they have my report, I've requested a copy. Just on the point of 2 people asking me questions the agent on the phone for dwp told me only one person has been put down as doing the interview ( a nurse ) and the manager was only observing. I will let you know how many dots I get if I get the report before my decision. Thanks