HI Julie,
I attended a meeting earlier this week with representatives of the Preston IR External Relations team. We were told quite clearly that a letter of authority is fine, and the TC689 is not mandatory. However, it probably saves the argument to use their form. After some discussion, it was agreed that you can write "indefinately" on the TC689 form, to stop your authority being time barred.
Reps of advice agencies at the meeting reported the problem of TC689s being submitted, but not logged onto the system. This means permission to speak to you is not logged in their household notes screen on the computer, so you are frozen out. The External Team reps are taking this back to discuss etc.
If you have problems escalating to a team leader, please tell CPAG, who can lobby for improvements.
By the way, we were also told that there should be no problems getting copies of taped IR telephone converstaions with your clients. Simply ask the helpline! This has not been our experience. Again the External Team reps agreed to take this apparent reluctance up.
Steve
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