PIP Telephone Assessment and Appointee

My son is 16 and I am his appointee for PIP. A telephone appointment has been booked for later this week. My son is adamant that he won't talk to the assessor. He's Autistic and has anxiety. Does he have to talk or even be present at the assessment or can I do it all for him as I'm his appointee?

Thank you. I have seen a lot of people say that they have had problems with the assessor insisting they speak to the child, which is why I asked the question. I had a call yesterday to confirm the appointment on Thursday and asked the question did he have to speak? The lady was quite rude and said he had to be there and it was up to the assessor to decide and they might have to ask him a question to prove he was with me. Yet looking at the PIP Assessment Guidance Part 1 it specifically says where an appointee has been nominated to represent the claimant, the claimant must not be instructed to attend a consultation. I guess I just need to be prepared to stand my ground.

I've experienced this recently. the receptionist said that d had to be there although I had sent in SALT report detailing d's selective mutism and anxiety. BIS had advised already that I stood my ground so I felt more confident to do so. Assessor asked that d gave her permission to speak on her behalf. I said DWP had given permission for that by making me appointee. She then said she needed to know d was present as it was a safeguarding concern. I advised that if she had safeguarding concerns then she should inform social care and started reeling off the number and said I had no objections to her doing so. She backtracked then and said she would need to speak to her supervisor. She didn't because I knew she was at home as receptionist had told me and she didn't pause at all. Call went ahead, d stayed in her room d got Enhanced awards both elements and 12 points for communicating verbally so worth standing my ground.

Thanks for your reply. I thought I'd update you on my experience at the assessment this morning. When I said my son wouldn't come to the phone as he was in his bedroom too anxious, she said although they were told they had to speak to the claimant, she wouldn't put him through that and cause him more anxiety, so she was happy to continue talking to me. It was a relief not to have to stand my ground. I just have to wait for the decision now.