ATOS and PIP process for 16 year old

Hi moderators and all. I am helping a young lad's dad who is the appointee for his 16 year old son who has sent in a PIP2 form and bags of additional evidence upon being invited to claim PIP - from DLA. This evidence included a doctor's letter stating fairly conclusively that the lad should have a home assessment if one is even necessary.

That was ten weeks ago. Four weeks ago the dad received a letter saying they, ATOS, are looking at doing a paper based assessment and they were waiting to hear from professionals who know the lad.

So, today after not hearing anything else from ATOS the dad phoned them to ask if an assessment report had now been concluded. The call handler replied that they were still waiting to hear from the professionals. The call handler then immediately seemed to go in to an automatic script mode of offering a face to face assessment appointment to see the lad at a centre within the region. The dad replied that if they wanted to see the lad then they should have to write to him and go through the proper process. The call handler hesitated and then said ok I'll update your file. Then the call ended.

So, sorry for the long post but the dad is now worried that the call handler will have without knowing all the facts and medical conditions, will have instigated an appointment letter being sent out when the dad wasn't asking for one.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Should the dad just do nothing or should he ring back and clarify things in terms of making sure they have not misunderstood or misinterpreted his reason for calling and triggered a face to face assessment Many thanks.

Buster

Hi moderators and all

Well, I was right. They have indeed called this lad in for a face-to-face in another town some distance away. The lad's father has sent in with the PIP2 comprehensive information including medical evidence and including a doctor's letter asking for a home assessment if an assessment is required.

Briefly, the lad suffers with severe ADHD and emotional and behavioural difficulties and is non-compliant. He also has bowel incontinence. He is also undergoing screening for Autism. He is taught one-to-one at home due to his difficulties and seldom manages to make it to any medical appointments. The hospital bowel nurse has come to him at his home - even then he was non-compliant.

The doctor's letter is fairly clear: it states "he has a number of emotional and behavioural difficulties and is often non-compliant with attending appointments especially when it involves going to new places and seeing new people". Why the hell would they still insist on him travelling to another town for an assessment?

The letter also states: "given the level of emotional ability and anxiety it would be best if this could be carried out in familiar surroundings at home".

It seems like a fairly strong letter to me. Although I realise it says "it would be best" rather cannot do. I do think the doctor was just being polite - it is fairly obvious what the situation is I would have thought?

Before the dad does anything; do you have any advice? Should he approach the doctor for another letter explaining they want the lad to travel to them? Should he ring ATOS and ask why they have done this in view of the letter and information they already have - despite lots of medical evidence in terms of his behaviour and difficulties travelling? Many thanks.

Buster

Hi Gordon

Thank you very much for your reply. This lad can have aggressive outbursts from time to time. But I can't help thinking if someone endures this (the lad) then why does it make a difference in terms of settings???

Surely, if it is too risky for an ATOS employee to see him in one particular setting then it would be the same anywhere else?

It seems like a totally vindictive decision if you ask me. Why would an authoritative organisation doing disability assessments ask a vulnerable "CHILD" to travel to another town when he quite clearly will be unable to comply and complete such a request?

If he cannot do this then it is quite likely he will suffer hardship as his DLA will stop with no PIP to follow - if he misses his appointment - which he almost certainly will - if they insist he has to travel to a town, incidentally, right on the cusp of the 90 minute travel time?

Anyway, he (dad) will be ringing ATOS when the time is right - following your advice re a PWR as well as taking this up with his GP and maybe even their prospective MP (she is a brilliant MP) if no common sense resolution is forthcoming.

What are your thoughts Gordon?

Buster