Casework Skills Test Question 35 – Applying new guidance to an undecided case

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Test part: Part 2: Effectiveness ratings
Practice focus: Current guidance, version control and clear reasons
Difficulty: Medium

Scenario

You began assessing a case last week. Revised guidance takes effect today and states that it applies to all cases not yet decided. The decision template still contains wording from the previous version. The revised rule changes how one category of expense is treated and could alter the outcome of this case. A technical adviser is available if the new wording is unclear.

Rate the actions

For each action, choose Counterproductive, Ineffective, Fairly Effective or Effective.

Action A

Apply the revised guidance, record the version used, check any genuine ambiguity with the technical adviser and update the decision reasoning rather than relying on the old template wording.

Rate this action:
Counterproductive Ineffective Fairly Effective Effective

Action B

Complete the case under the previous guidance because the assessment started before the revision took effect.

Rate this action:
Counterproductive Ineffective Fairly Effective Effective

Action C

Pause every case affected by the change until a new template is published.

Rate this action:
Counterproductive Ineffective Fairly Effective Effective

Action D

Use the revised rule to reach the outcome but leave the old template explanation in the notice because the result itself is correct.

Rate this action:
Counterproductive Ineffective Fairly Effective Effective

Click to reveal the answer
ActionCorrect rating
Action AEffective
Action BCounterproductive
Action CIneffective
Action DFairly Effective

Members can unlock the full explanation for all four actions, including how evidence, fairness, confidentiality, customer impact and authority affect each rating.

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