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Original poster

PIP assessment recording

22 replies

wtfisgoingonherenow · 30/08/2018 13:07

So have had to reregister as closed old email account but never went far, still been lurking!

Have previously posted (possibly under one of many name changes) and had fantastic advice regarding my DH, his mental health issues/ employment tribunal and subsequent claims for ESA /PIP.

I'm here today for more practical advice as he has been called for PIP assessment on Tuesday (yup 5 days time) and whilst they have agreed we can record the interview, having read up on how this can be done, I have no idea how we can physically arrange to do this without spending an absolute fortune on retro casette recorders with some sort of next day delivery

We cannot digitally record, and have to make 2 simultanious recordings onto removable media, cassette or cd.

If it helps we are in Kent. Do places hire stuff like this? Any help or advice greatfully received

OP posts:
needsahouseboy · 30/08/2018 13:11

You can’t defer your assessment until you can get hold of the right equipment.

needsahouseboy · 30/08/2018 13:11

Sorry should have said can

SillySallySingsSongs · 30/08/2018 13:13

Put a request on local FB pages to see if anyone has something you can borrow?

VanGoghsDog · 30/08/2018 13:14

There was a whole Radio Four programme about this problem. The general upshot was that you won't find a compatible way to record it. You need to find an old police recording device on eBay, but they're rare and expensive and might not even work.

Sorry, I was amazed when I listened to the programme but that was the upshot.

SillySallySingsSongs · 30/08/2018 13:22

The general upshot was that you won't find a compatible way to record it. You need to find an old police recording device on eBay, but they're rare and expensive and might not even work.

Sorry but thats not true. My friend recorded hers with two cassette recorders purchased from Argos.

Original poster
wtfisgoingonherenow · 30/08/2018 13:33

Hi thanks for quick responses.
I've tried argos online but all the recorders are digital. Am popping to ask CAB for advice whilst at lunch.

Will advertise on Facebook and also we have a work notice board I can try.

Id like to get this done Tuesday if possible even if I run myseld ragged arranging things as his anxiety is through the roof anticipating this, and want to get it over with asap!

OP posts:
KatieMarieJ · 30/08/2018 13:34

What happens if you don't tell them? Use a digital device and have it transcribed in the event of going to tribunal?

Lisabel · 30/08/2018 13:36

Hi OP,

You can ask to delay the assessment until they can provide appropriate recording facilities.

I'm not sure that SillySally's friend wasn't just lucky because surely two cassette recorders could not be considered the same as a Dual-recording machine?

SillySallySingsSongs · 30/08/2018 13:40

I'm not sure that SillySally's friend wasn't just lucky because surely two cassette recorders could not be considered the same as a Dual-recording machine?

No they weren't. If you go into pip boards, plenty of people do it that way. It may be worth you l9oking on there OP. There may be someone able to get you some in time.

You can ask to delay the assessment until they can provide appropriate recording facilities.

It isn't a requirement for them to record PIP assessments only ESA.

What happens if you don't tell them? Use a digital device and have it transcribed in the event of going to tribunal?

You wouldn't be able to use it.

BoobleMcB · 30/08/2018 13:41

@KatieMarieJ I'm fairly certain that covert recording is not permissible as evidence

BoobleMcB · 30/08/2018 13:42

You would have to have explicit c9nsent from all parties recorded to be able to use any recordings

Original poster
wtfisgoingonherenow · 30/08/2018 14:00

Two separate devices can be used, that's fine, the difficulty is that they have to record to removable media (cassette or cd) and finding a non digital device to use.

As mentioned covert recordings are inadmissible, in any event the purpose of recording it is more from the standpoint tht they will do things "properly" knowing it's been recorded

OP posts:
VanGoghsDog · 30/08/2018 14:23

@BoobleMcB

This isn't actually true in the sense you have said it. A judge cannot ignore evidence that exists just because of the manner of collection - BUT the judge would place whatever emphasis they felt was just on that evidence on the basis of how it was collected.

It is well known that digital recordings can be altered, so the judge would probably be skeptical about the veracity especially if there was any difference in the recollection of people who had been there or of any notes taken.
It might also colour their view of the honesty of the person who took the recording.

I work in HR and we do not allow recordings unless agreed by all parties and I ask people to sign to say they are not recording. But if they did, it would be up to a judge to decide if they wanted to admit it into evidence and there would be some very odd questions if they just refused to hear it at all.
But equally, if someone signs to say they are not recording and then does - then they look pretty dishonest so the judge will take a view on that and it may colour how they view the rest of their evidence.

VanGoghsDog · 30/08/2018 17:25

They don't allow digital recordings, only physical.

SweetSummerchild · 30/08/2018 17:27

I have heard of a number of people who have recorded their assessments.

The most common method is to buy two identical single cassette dictation machines. The cassettes used are then taken in unused and sealed. They are opened in front of the assessor and used for recording. One cassette is then given to the assessor. Based on the fact that ‘approved’ two-cassette recording equipment is ridiculously expensive, the using of two single recorders is normally allowed by the assessor.

Grizistheshiz · 30/08/2018 17:35

www.argos.co.uk/product/5740413

Grizistheshiz · 30/08/2018 17:35

Argos sell them. Cassette record with built in microphone.

Isleepinahedgefund · 30/08/2018 17:47

Don’t the police use digital recording these days? Yet it isn’t good enough for Atos.... it’s quite obstructive of them to insist on physical recordings. which are fast becoming obsolete.

I understand their concerns about there being two copies and digital recordings being easy to manipulate if you know how - how about if each party were to take a digital recording of their own? You take one, they take one - they must have digital dictaphones around - then both parties have a contemporaneous record of it.

Original poster
wtfisgoingonherenow · 30/08/2018 18:40

Thank you grizis I was searching dictaphone which returned digital ones, so that's a great help Smile

OP posts:
totallyliterally · 30/08/2018 18:49

Amazon also have them, search cassette recorder

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