COURSES > DATA COMPLIANCE

Understanding and Applying FOI Exemptions

Managing the Pressures of FOI Requests

Chaired by
Scott Sammons

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Overview

Freedom of Information (FOI) exemptions allow public sector organisations to protect information, reduce the burden of responding to vexatious FOI requests and prioritise valid requests for information.

Attend our Understanding and Applying FOI Exemptions course for a practical guide through the intricacies of the FOI landscape, equipping you with the knowledge and skills to navigate regulations and protect your organisation’s vital interests.

Improve how you manage vexatious requests, apply the commercial interest test and learn how to write an effective refusal notice.

Leave the day able to apply the public interest test and take back an FOI exemptions toolkit to use within your organisation.

Information Governance Coach,
MNLP, AMIRMS, MBCS, H-FIIM

Scott is an experienced and qualified practitioner & coach in the management and governance of information and data having worked and volunteered for 14+ years in the profession. Starting his career in Local Government, Scott has since worked across both the private and public sectors (both large and small) and gained experience, knowledge and/or qualifications working with information governance frameworks applicable in the UK, Ireland, Isle of Man, and wider European context. From 2016-2020 Scott was Chair of the Information and Records Management Society (IRMS).

Scott Sammons


Learning Outcomes

  • Learn how to apply a range of exemptions

  • Gain a brief overview of the FOI regulation

  • Improve how you manage vexatious requests

  • Learn when to establish over the cost threshold

  • Take back an FOI exemptions toolkit to use within your organisation





All the Understanding ModernGov courses are Continuing Professional Development (CPD) certified,
with signed certificates available upon request for event.

Enquire About Our Bespoke Team Training

0800 542 9414
InHouse@moderngov.com

Agenda

09:25 - 09:30 Registration

09:30 - 10:00 Trainer’s Welcome and Clarification of Learning Objectives

10:00 - 10:45 Brief Overview of FOI

  • Gain a brief overview of FOI regulation

  • Learn how to identify different types of FOI requests

  • Benchmark your FOI procedures against other public sector organisations

10:45 - 11:00 Morning Break

11:00 - 12:00 FOI Requests and Commercial Interests

  • Trade secrets

  • Third party interests

  • Prejudice to commercial interests: learn how to apply the prejudice test

12:00 - 13:00 Managing Vexatious Requests

  • Identify vexatious requests

  • Gain strategies and techniques on handling vexatious requests

13:00 - 14:00 Lunch

14:00 - 14:30 Establishing Over the Cost Threshold

  • Assess staff time to manage the requests

  • Calculate when the FOI exceeds the threshold

  • The Freedom of Information and Data Protection (Appropriate Limit and Fees) Regulations 2004

14:30 - 15:15 Workshop Writing a Refusal Notice

  • Identify key points to include

  • Learn how to write a refusal notice

  • Establish what to say and how to communicate it

15:15 - 16:00 Workshop Applying FOI Exemptions: The Public Interest Test

  • Develop processes and procedures to better apply exemptions

  • Review FOI requests and take part in interactive sessions to apply the public interest test

  • Take back an FOI exemptions toolkit to use within your organisation

16:00 - 16:15 Feedback, Evaluation & Close

  • Effective Report Writing, Senior Engineering Specialist, Eastleigh Borough Council

    “This course provided an excellent understanding of how to write effectively and why it is important to do so.”

  • Effective Proofing and Editing Skills: Senior Events Officer, King's College London

    “I would really recommend the course. Sue is a fantastic trainer and the day passed by far too quickly. Lots of helpful resources to take away, also very impressed with the smooth transition to online learning. Thank you!

  • Effective Data Visualisation: Corporate Performance Management Officer, Carmarthenshire County Council

    “I have learned a great deal with many tips and ideas to enable to improve the authority’s reports”

  • Effective Business Process Mapping: Internal Quality and Improvement Officer, Social Work England

    “It was a fun course to take a part in. There was a lot of information given, and it was done in an engaging way with lots of interactivity, even over zoom. i really enjoyed the course and learned lots from it.”

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