Act Now - FOI Practitioner Certificate

An essential qualification for the modern FOI Officer

A qualification designed for those wishing to acquire detailed knowledge of the FOIA and related legislation. The course will provide delegates with the knowledge and practical skills to enable them to become a more effective FOI Officer.

Whether delivered online or in the classroom, delegates receive all the fantastic features of the course specifically tailored for each learning environment.

The content of the course has been developed after analysing all the competencies required for the FOI Officer role. Our teaching style is based on practical and engaging workshops covering theory alongside hands-on application using case studies that equip delegates with knowledge and skills that can be used immediately

Personal tutor support throughout the course and a comprehensive online resource lab, ensure the best opportunity for success.

The course takes place over four days (one day per week) either online or in classroom, and involves lectures, discussion and practical exercises followed by a practical assessment.

Structure

Day 1

THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT

  • Scope of FOI
  • Associated legislation
  • Publication Schemes
  • Transparency Agenda
  • Datasets and ROPSI
  • Right of Access
  • New S.45 Code
  • RM Code
  • The ICO, Enforcement and Appeals
  • Techniques for conducting FOI and legal research

Day 2

EXEMPTIONS AND REFUSALS (PART 1)

  • Exemptions in detail
  • Absolute exemptions
  • Qualified exemptions
  • Factors to consider
  • Latest ICO decisions
  • Tribunal cases
  • The Prejudice test
  • The Public Interest test
  • Case studies
  • Internal reviews
  • Drafting Refusal Notices
  • Common issues

Day 3

EXEMPTIONS AND REFUSALS (PART 2)

  • Popular exemptions
  • Section 36, Section 38, Section 40, Section 41 and Section 43
  • Contracts and Commercial information
  • Access to personal data
  • Deceased records
  • GDPR overlaps
  • Latest ICO decisions
  • Tribunal cases
  • Drafting Refusal Notices
  • Common requests

Day 4

THE ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION REGULATIONS

  • What is environmental information
  • Proactive publication
  • Right of Access
  • The exceptions
  • The Public Interest test
  • Latest caselaw
  • Drafting Refusal Notices
  • Being an FOI Officer
  • Preparing for Tribunal
  • ICO Powers

The full table of course dates is available here:

  Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4
Online 13 Feb 2024 20 Feb 2024 27 Feb 2024 05 Mar 2024
Online 13 Mar 2024 20 Mar 2024 27 Mar 2024 03 Apr 2024
Online 17 Apr 2024 24 Apr 2024 01 May 2024 08 May 2024
Online 09 May 2024 16 May 2024 23 May 2024 30 May 2024
Online 18 Jun 2024 25 Jun 2024 02 Jul 2024 09 Jul 2024
Online 31 Jul 2024 07 Aug 2024 14 Aug 2024 21 Aug 2024
Online 03 Sep 2024 10 Sep 2024 17 Sep 2024 24 Sep 2024
Online 03 Oct 2024 10 Oct 2024 17 Oct 2024 24 Oct 2024
Online 23 Oct 2024 30 Oct 2024 06 Nov 2024 13 Nov 2024
Online 06 Nov 2024 13 Nov 2024 20 Nov 2024 27 Nov 2024
Online 22 Nov 2024 28 Nov 2024 05 Dec 2024 12 May 2024

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Event Information

Date 31-07-2024
Cost (ex VAT) From £2150
Location Online (live)