S1 good luck😀 it is in an unfair system but at least your child had you. If you don't mind, I'm going to give you some advice that you hopefully won't need.
Firstly, strike the balance between nice and firm. It always pays to be Polite. That said don't be fobbed off. If you think someone is giving you the wrong information ask to speak to the supervisor. All calls are recorded
Ask for a copy of the AP report as soon after the assessment as possible. It's mainly a precaution but a good one to have as recons go quickly. Once received, go through it with a pen and put a star next to every point you disagree with. Then find evidence to back it up. Eg assessor says 'x displayed no sign of pain while walking to room'. Get hold of a copy of strong medication for knee pain prescription to dispute it. It doesn't matter if you've already sent it, get it again. This is just a precaution at this stage but good to have it ready.
If you need a reconsideration, ring up. Unsure if you're an appointee but if not have DC past security and put you on. Request the recon, and tell them you will be sending more evidence. You usually have 4 weeks but post can be slow. Ask the telephony agent to put notes over the system (in notes and on the reconsideration task itself) telling the CM you will be sending evidence and do not decide until it's all in. Case managers are generally nice and if this is done, will wait
Ringing is essential. New starters are put on processing and there's little information on how to do a recon so some just leave it 🙄 also when letters come in they get labelled. There's no reconsideration label. Some people see a further evidence task and shut it down without any further action. Besides which they're so full with work it takes weeks to do tasks. You. Only have 4wks to request a recon. If it's their fault for being slow they will still put it on but that's still weeks of waiting you don't need.
Evidence. You really do have to spell it out. Even if it's the same stuff, send it anyway. If you don't, the decision won't change. Make sure you match it up to the points you disagree with, and keep photocopies at home. The more the better, recent is better of course. You could write yourself but it won't be considered in the same light as the evidence.
With an appeal, and hopefully it won't get that far. You can do it online but I always advise at least ringing to talk to an agent if only to get the phone numbers. There are very strict deadlines so it's best to move quickly. I also always advised ringing HMCTS to give them a heads up when you're sending information in. Post can be problematic and by giving a heads up you're better off. Make sure you get the phone numbers for HMCTS. They're better placed to update you throughout. It is a lengthy process, I'm afraid. After the decisions made, if in your favour, you have 4 weeks for the DWP to contest it. They never do, but they use it to get stuff sorted. As soon as you hear the outcome from HMCTS, ring DWP Nd do payability questions. It won't speed things up but it will stop delays
If you're unhappy with the service youve been given, complain. If a staff member is rude, complain. Team leaders have to take complaints, and the DWP managers take them very seriously. If you have a complaint about an assessor you raise it with them. The DWP staff can't do anything (much to our displeasure) and you have to ring them or email. DWP can give their details though. Do not accept shoddy service. The staff can't change the rules, true. But they can understand that the process is difficult and even if they are giving bad news, they can bloody be polite whilst doing so.
Anything you ask staff to make a note of, have them read back to you. Especially reasons for not attending an appointment.
Be prepared for a long wait. I don't know how it is now, bit when I left for new claims it was 8 weeks for a decision and longer for award reviews. It's meant to be four. There's also long waiting times for assessments.
I'm sorry for the essay, and I'm aware all my advice is bleak and possibly worrying you. There are good outcomes, some people get lucky and a fair go of it. I just know from experience that telephony agents differ in attitudes and experience and want to ensure you have the best advice I can give.
Also it really isn't all bad news. And not all staff are bad. I for one genuinely cared. I got abuse sometimes and that wasn't nice. But I had some lovely calls and really helped some people. I once helped a man who called me in a panic from the side of the road as his pip hadn't gone in. It wasn't due until tomorrow but his ESA should have gone on and he panicked. I gave him ESA phone number and called him 2hrs later to check he'd gotten home ok (during my lunch).
The system is horrible and it's hard giving bad news. I really felt for some people. But I used to think I was doing good. It was a bad system, but I always thought that by trying my best and giving the best advice I could possibly give, I was helping people in what's probably one of the most difficult times of their life.
Again sorry for the essay and for the doom and gloom. It's probably of no help to you. But I just wanted to give you the best info I could. I don't work in pip and couldn't access your case regardless, bit if you do have any questions I am more than willing to give general advice like above. Just PM me.