DLA Appeal for a child

My daughter has been turned down for the higher rate mobility element on renewal. On the last two renewals she was entitled - her condition is life-long and has not changed so I'm baffled that they have turned her down on this renewal.

I asked for a reconsideration but again they have refused the mobility.

I am now going to appeal.

My questions are:

1. Will my daughter have to attend the hearing and

2. Can my husband come along to the appeal with me - not as a representative but just for moral support?

Thank you in advance.

My appeal has now been sent in.

In the Mandatory Notice, it states that the "Evidence used to make this decision" was the Claim Form and the telephone conversation I had asking for the reconsideration.

Does this mean that the DWP did not request any medical information, despite me providing details of my daughter's hospital consultant in the Claim Form.

I have looked at the A-Z of Medical Conditions for Children provided on this site, which is used for decision makers. My daughter's condition is not even listed. However, "restricted growth" (which I guest covers dwarfism) is listed in the A-Z of Medical Conditions for Adults but it states "NHS Choices and Decision Makers are advised to discuss with the Departments Medical Services provider if necessary".

If the DWP had "discussed" with the Department's Medical Services provider, would this have been listed as evidence they used to make the decision?

I am panicking now as I stated in my Appeal that they did not obtain medical evidence to support their decision!

I have included in my appeal a letter from my daughter's hospital consultant confirming my daughter's mobility issues.

Any thoughts again please - thank you.