Recording of Face to Face assessments.

I know this may seem a silly question but does anyone have an opinion on the pros and cons of having your F2F recorded?

I wondered if in other peoples experience you are treated differently by the assessor if your interview is being recorded., for example - the fact that they are on record may make them treat the client more respectfully.

I guess its better to have a recorded interview, but are they really helpful. Can they be used in appeals etc?

kat50 wrote: I know this may seem a silly question but does anyone have an opinion on the pros and cons of having your F2F recorded?

I wondered if in other peoples experience you are treated differently by the assessor if your interview is being recorded., for example - the fact that they are on record may make them treat the client more respectfully.

I guess its better to have a recorded interview, but are they really helpful. Can they be used in appeals etc?

Hi k50,

As you say, there are "pros and cons" !!

The Assessor will be more careful in what they say and is more likely to carry out the assessment "by the book".

There will be an accurate audio record of what is said both by the Assessor and the claimant in response to any of the Assessor's questions.

If the F2F is not recorded, it would be the claimant's word against that of the Assessor regarding any errant statements that are written by the Assessor in The ESA85 Medical Report.

Yes, it can be used as evidence in any subsequent MR/Appeal.

bro58

I have attended face to face assessments as a companion.I would say go for recording as they cannot tell lies with what you said or didn't say.I have been to with and without recording,without recording result was lies,with recording got result we wanted (the truth). I have been amazed with how they are getting away with lying,it must stop and the only way I see it stopping is recording. Lying looses claimants and that's the name of the game sadly and it is done in my experience by fair means or foul.

Thank you both, that is very helpful. I will request my F2F is recorded. I guessed it was the way to go but wasn't sure.

Deleted.

See : www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/forum?view=top...=10&id=104272#135190

bro58

Hi Kat50

I recently had my first ever recorded FTF assessment. I noticed that the nurse was being particularly clear and careful with the questioning, and taking time to note it.

Within two weeks I received a decision letter awarding me ESA. And when I received a copy of the medical report, it was by far the most accurate account of what I said at an assessment, that I have ever seen on an ESA85!

The only con I can think of is that you may have to wait 20 minutes for them to set up the equipment (they usually forget that it's a recorded assessment), but I think that is a small price to pay for an accurate ESA85.

Good luck

Derek