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The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)

  • 55 Minutes
  • For all staff
  • jurisdiction UK

The Freedom of Information Act 2000 gives the public a legal right to recorded information held by public authorities. This 55-minute course explains FOIA's scope, how to recognise a valid FOI or Environmental Information Regulations request, how those regimes differ from a subject access request, and how to respond.

FOI deadlines are short and they start the moment a request arrives, whoever receives it. Requests rarely announce themselves as requests, which is why front-line staff need to recognise one on sight. Training the whole organisation rather than the information governance team alone is the difference between meeting the twenty working day limit and explaining a delay to the Information Commissioner.

objectives

What you’ll learn in
this course

  • Explain the purpose and scope of FOIA

  • Recognise what constitutes valid FOI and Environmental Information Regulations (EIR) requests and how to respond

  • Distinguish between the FOIA and EIR

  • Distinguish between Freedom of Information (FOI) and Subject Access Requests (SARs)

  • Identify exemptions and when public interest tests apply

  • Recognise vexatious or repeated requests

  • Know how to respond to requests, including declining requests and complaints

Hear from our customers

I cannot overstate how happy with are with Skillcast. They are prompt, attentive, patient and always so good humoured. The teams work seamlessly, and there is always someone to cover in the absence of a team member. I am always impressed and very happy to work with the team.

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