Preparing for an Appeal Tribunal

This is a two-part course, usually run on two consecutive half days. It is important to attend both parts of this course.

PREPARING FOR AN APPEAL TRIBUNAL, Part 1:
Max 3 hours, including registration, course presentation and practice activities, mid session break and time for questions.

Part 1 course outline

Assessing the case
BREAK
Reviewing the DWP submission

Aims
Preparing for an Appeal Tribunal, Part 1 teaches how to assess a case following a negative or unsatisfactory DWP decision, using a recent Personal Independence Payment case study. After the break we look at selected documents from an example DWP submission and practise evaluating them.

Objectives
By the end of Part 1 participants will:

Have an understanding of the decision making and appeals framework and the different mechanisms for getting a decision changed;
Know how to check for inconsistencies in the claimant’s evidence and how to manage inconsistencies;
Have practiced working on a real life case example.
Be able to check key documents within a DWP submission;
Know how to form effective arguments to challenge inaccuracies in the DWP submission;
Know when and how it is appropriate to obtain further evidence to support an appeal.

PREPARING FOR AN APPEAL TRIBUNAL, Part 2:
Max 3 hours, including registration, course presentation and practice activities, mid session break and time for questions.

Part 2 course outline

Writing the submission
BREAK
Attending the hearing

Aims
Preparing for an Appeal Tribunal, Part 2 teaches participants how to compose an effective written submission to a tribunal ahead of an appeal hearing. After the break participants learn how to prepare a claimant for an oral appeal hearing.

Objectives
By the end of Part 2 participants will:

Have an understanding of the decision making and appeals framework and the different mechanisms for getting a decision changed;
Know how to check for inconsistencies in the claimant’s evidence and how to manage inconsistencies;
Have practiced working on a real life case example.
Be able to check key documents within a DWP submission;
Know how to form effective arguments to challenge inaccuracies in the DWP submission;
Know when and how it is appropriate to obtain further evidence to support an appeal.
Be aware of Tribunal Procedure and how an oral hearing is conducted;
Be able to prepare the claimant so they can present in the most appropriate way and help the tribunal reach the right decision;
Know what can be done if the claimant is unhappy with the outcome of the hearing.

Methods of delivery
This course is delivered online live with a BTC trainer. It is a practical course delivered using a combination of trainer presentation, exercises and case studies, group discussion and games. Before the course, participants will be provided with a Dropbox link to PowerPoint slide handouts, a comprehensive training pack pdf and supporting materials.

Intended audience
This course is for professional advisors, support workers and volunteers working with people of all ages who are affected by a health condition or a disability and challenging a benefits decision at tribunal (note that a working age PIP case study is used). A working knowledge of Personal Independence Payment and the Work Capability Assessment is assumed.

Certificates & post course support
Named participants completing the whole course (Parts 1 & 2) will receive an e-certificate and regular benefits news updates and guarantees access our free 12 months post-course advice service.

Course instructions

In the week before the course, participants will receive an email with course link(s) and a Dropbox link to the pack/slides which are in pdf format. You will need to download (or print) the pack (and slides, if you wish) before each part of the course.

Participants will need a good wifi connection and a suitable computer/laptop to access both the Zoom session and the pack throughout. You may wish to use a separate device for the pack (or split your screen) if you cannot or do not wish to print.

OUR NEXT PREPARING FOR AN APPEAL TRIBUNAL COURSE DATES

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