I have just been looking on www.appeals-service.gov.uk/1236.htm and there is a lsit of requirements necessary for those wishing to bget the £164 per day for sitting as a disability qualified panel member. It occurs to me that we seldom if ever know the credentials of the third tribunal member. Having seen my client bullied and reduced to tears today by a "carer member" I am thinking of asking for a set aside on the grounds that the tribunal was not legal, containing as it did a member who as far as I am aware has no proffessional experience indealing with the needs of disabled persons, does not have current experience of caring in a voluntary capacity and is not herself disabled.
Any thoughts would be gratefully received.

I have had similar concerns with one or two carer members and sought to raise the issue of their backgrounds with the district chair at liaison meetings. How are we to know if the carer member has been employed by the DWP or has particular views associated with their present or previous employment?

Needless to say, my concerns received short shrift and I was told that they would not provide any details about the carer members. I'm not sure how this issue stands with Gillies etc.

Hi. Just caught up with this one and am fascinated at thought of being the person who does the "just a chop, or a piece of fish under the grill and two small potatoes in a pan... you wouldn't have a problem with that, surely?" bit at DLA appeals.

As I'm a CAB worker, someone suggested I wouldn't be allowed to do it, but surely if EMPs can sit on panels, then so can welfare rights workers? Everyone out there, get your applications in!

Helen

One of our CAB colleagues was a tribunal member for years. He was "doubly" qualified in that he was also severely disabled himself.

Actually I HAVE applied to be a member. Not had a reply yet. Watch this space?

Hit wrong button so will finish. Ad stated posts not suitable for people with Welfare Rights background!!!

Interestingly I not only applied and received an interview in London for the position of so called "care wing member" but I was also approved to take this position as soon as a seat became available. As your name is only retained for 12 months, after which you have to re enter what is called the competion, and even considering that my two referees were a District Chair and Full time Chair respectively not suprisingly, I suppose, a seat in my area never became available.
Needless to say this left me disillusioned, but unsuprised.

Interesting that they specify that you should be between 35 and 65. Not sure how they can justify this.

They do say 'normally'. I'd hope they'd accept an 18 year old disabled person.

I thought that this might have just been copied from JP application rules, and although I think it would be stretching things to say 'even more interestingly', the DCA site for JP recruitment now just has 'under 65'.

They don't pay for that though, of course.