Online or Classroom

Every course purposefully designed

Freedom of Information Act 2000 A-Z Guide

This interactive workshop is aimed at people working in public authorities who have some responsibility for the day-to-day handling of Freedom of Information Act requests.

It provides an overview of the main parts of the Act and in particular focusses on how to handle requests in a timely and effective manner that meets the requirements of the Act.The workshop also introduces the different types of exemptions which may be used to withhold information. The day is aimed at beginners or people who wish to refresh their basic knowledge.

The expert tutor brings the workshop to life with real life examples, practical scenarios and interactive exercises.

Key Topics

  • Freedom of Information Act background and purpose
  • Publication Schemes
  • Identifying and clarifying valid requests
  • Handling request, advising, and assisting and time scales
  • Refusals based on cost
  • Vexatious and repeated requests
  • The Part 2 exemptions
  • Refusal Notices
  • Complaints and ICO enforcement

Dates & Cost

Online

£399 plus VAT

Classroom

£449 plus VAT

Timings: 10am to 4pm

 
Date: 25 Nov 2024
Location: Online
Date: 16 Dec 2024
Location: Online
Date: 14 Jan 2025
Location: Online
Date: 18 Feb 2025
Location: Online
Date: 19 Mar 2025
Location: Online
Date: 17 Apr 2025
Location: Online
Date: 13 May 2025
Location: Online
Date: 15 Jul 2025
Location: Online
Date: 23 Sep 2025
Location: Online
Date: 15 Oct 2025
Location: Online
Date: 20 Nov 2025
Location: Online
Date: 16 Dec 2025
Location: Online

Course tutors

All our associates are experienced information governance professionals who have been training and advising in this field for many years.

  • Philip Jones

    Course Tutor


    Philip has 40 years of information management experience in the public and private sectors both as a practitioner and at a senior management level. He was Head of Information Governance at Staffordshire Council. Philip holds a masters degree in information management and an MBA. He is a senior associate for Act Now and Chair of the Exam Panel.

  • Scott Sammons

    Course Tutor


    Scott is an information governance specialist with over 15 years of experience. He has delivered a number international projects for Act Now Training and is a senior tutor on the Advanced Certificate in GDPR Practice. His previous roles include European Data Protection Lead for a bank and GDPR Implementation lead for a council. Scott is a former Chair of the IRMS.

  • Susan Wolf

    Course Tutor


    Susan holds a judicial position as a Fee Paid Member of the Upper Tribunal (Information Rights). She spent ten years teaching the LLM in Information Rights Law at Northumbria University and developed their Postgraduate Certificate in Data Protection Law and Information Governance. Susan is one of the senior curriculum developers for Act Now Training.

  • Iain Harrison

    Course Tutor


    Iain is currently an Information Governance Risk Manager for large local authority and has over 20 years of experience. He has been delivering training for Act Now for over seven years in GDPR and FOI for public, private and charitiable organisations. His extensive experience in planning and implementation of Information Rights legislation allows him to bring training sessions to life.

  • Craig Geddes

    Course Tutor


    Craig is a certified archivist and records manager with 28 years of experience in information governance. He has served as an Archivist, Records Manager, and Senior Information Officer for numerous Scottish local administrations. Craig has spent many years developing and delivering training on records management, freedom of information and data protection.

  • Kirsty Squires

    Course Tutor


    Kirsty is currently a DPO for a number of local authorities and has over 15 years of experience in Data Governance. She has led the IG Project Team on transformation projects to deliver local government restructure in Northamptonshire, dealing with issues including information sharing, data protection by design and leading on training and policy development.

  • Naomi Matthews

    Course Tutor


    Naomi is a local authority lawyer and holds a judicial position as a Fee Paid Member of the Upper Tribunal (Information Rights). She has extensive experience in all areas of information compliance and RIPA. Her training has been commended by RIPA inspectors and her advice has helped many local authorities understand the law and practicalities of covert surveillance.

  • Suzanne Ballabás

    Course Tutor


    Suzanne Ballabás, is a privacy professional with over ten years of practical experience in implementing privacy practices across various international organisations, in addition to acting as a compliance officer for multiple regulated entities within the UAE’s financial districts of DIFC and ADGM.

  • Olu Odeniyi

    Course Tutor


    Olu Odeniyi is a Cyber Security, Information Security and Digital Transformation Trusted Advisor who has 30 years' experience helping organisations maximise gain from technology solutions, including optimisation of business operations and processes. During this time, Olu held several key senior leadership, strategic and operational positions, in the public and private sectors.

  • Robert Bateman

    Course Tutor


    Robert Bateman is a trainer and writer specialising in privacy, data protection, security, and AI. He is a respected voice on privacy and has been writing, researching, and leading conversations in the field since 2017.

  • Craig Geddes

    Course Tutor


    Craig is a qualified archivist and records manager, with 28 years experience working across the range of information governance activities. He has worked for several Scottish local authorities as Archivist, Records Manager, and Senior Information and Improvement Officer.

What our clients say about us

    I hadn’t worked with FOI’s for a while in my previous role and having started a new job in Information Governance this course was a great re-introduction to the subject. It was interesting and informative and I finished feeling more confident about processing FOI requests in my organisation.
    SLD, Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council

    Kirsty was extremely knowledgeable and helpful with all enquiries. The course was very helpful.
    HS, ESCC

    I am new to FOI and this course has helped immensely. It was presented well and
    in a light hearted and easy to understand format. It was useful to understand the
    intricacies of funding etc and the way in which this is applied. The background into
    how rules are applied was easy to understand and it has certainly helped me in
    refining and managing the process in my role with management of FOI's. TC, Hampshire County Council

    An excellent course, with the relevant knowledge needed, was provided in a simple but effective way.
    TP, Cumberland Council

    I thought the presentation, materials provided, and style of the course and of Susan was excellent. Really easy to follow, descriptive, interactive, and helpful for persons both completely new to FOI and with a modicum of experience. The course reassured me I was on the right track and we were performing well as an organisation, while also highlighting areas I need to work on, and what my next steps will be. Overall a highly worthwhile course, and one which I will look to recommend and follow up on.
    MDC, The Coal Authority