Info for referrers

TID assessments

TID offers a variety of clinical assessments. Most referrals are local arrangements and are frequently amended to respond to developments. Please email us for more recent updates,

Solicitor referrals for reports for use in asylum claims

7/11/23. OUR MEDICO-LEGAL REPORTS SERVICE IS TEMPORARILY CLOSED TO REFERRALS FOR FIRMS NOT ALREADY REFERRING TO TID WHILE WE EVALUATE OUR PRIORITIES AND CONCENTRATE MORE ON SCREENING.

Reports instructed for by solicitors will involve a physical and/or psychological assessment for evidence of ill-treatment. Recommendations for clinical care will be made. Any safeguarding issues and problems with communication will be explained. The report will include a statement of truth and present the clinician’s findings with reference to the Istanbul Protocol. It will usually be produced within 28 days of the assessment taking place.

TID currently relies on a small team of volunteer clinicians. Please consider the following before sending an email to us:

  • The client must be represented by a legal aid solicitor
  • The client or the firm must usually be in West Yorkshire or Greater Manchester (travel issues for clinicians)
  • The solicitor must be able to provide a room which is safe and confidential for the assessment (TID does not have its own premises). This room must be risk assessed.
  • The solicitor will have to provide an interpreter, who is qualified and experienced in working in mental health. If the client has preferences about the interpreter, such as regarding the gender, these preferences need to be respected.
  • On-line assessments may be a possibility for psychological opinions (not scarring assessments)
  • Assessments are charged at standard Legal Aid Agency (LAA) rates and the costs depend on the amount of documentation, stage of the asylum claim, type of clinician used and travel time. An estimate can be provided.
  • TID cannot take on fresh claims at this point in time.

If an enquiry meets our criteria and we have capacity, we will send a referral form to the solicitor.