Freedom of Information (FOI) | 24th November 2026

This course will teach you:

  • What the freedom of information act 2000 is, its purpose, and who it applies to.
  • What a freedom of information request is.
  • How to manage requests efficiently.
  • How to log and respond to requests.
  • Freedom of information act exemptions and how to identify and apply them.
  • The process around internal reviews, tribunal cases and appeals.

At the end of the course you will have a Freedom of information act 2000 summary to support the development of policies and process, how to improve processes and have good working relationships with colleagues.
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Online
Course

6 hours in total

CPD Credits

6

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Freedom of Information (FOI) Training Course

This course will teach you:

  • What the freedom of information act 2000 is, its purpose, and who it applies to.
  • What a freedom of information request is.
  • How to manage requests efficiently.
  • How to log and respond to requests.
  • Freedom of information act exemptions and how to identify and apply them.
  • The process around internal reviews, tribunal cases and appeals.

At the end of the course you will have a Freedom of information act 2000 summary to support the development of policies and process, how to improve processes and have good working relationships with colleagues.

Who Should Attend?

This course is for new and existing Freedom of Information Administrators, Officers and Managers or a professional that has experience of the role. Delegates might also include Information Governance Professionals or their deputies, or anyone working in support of the Freedom of Information Officer role.

Learning Objectives

At the end of the course you will be able to:

  • Be able to describe key aspects of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. 
  • Understand the two types of exemptions and what they relate to. 
  • Review process flows, procedures, policies and guidance. 
  • Identify valid requests, calculate costs, refuse requests, apply exemptions and the public interest test, internal reviews and decisions. 

Course Overview

The course will cover the following topics:

  • What do you know about FOI?
  • History of FOI – Background to law,
  • Right to be informed – what does this mean?
  • What the requesters rights are, what you actually have to tell the requester
  • What information is subject to FOI?
  • Exemptions – types 8 Absolute exemptions
  • 16 Qualified exemptions plus the s25 certificates
  • Absolute and Qualified Exemptions
  • Public Interest Test (PIT) What this is and how to undertake
  • Obligations: Publication Scheme, Confirm or Deny

  • Who can make a request and how
  • How to identify a request, Valid requests, Timescales
  • Duty to provide advice and assistance
  • Is there a cost – limits. What do we do with these requests?
  • Refusing Requests – Not Held, Vexatious, Repeated, Cost Exceeds, Exemptions apply
  • Guidelines and what happens next?
  • S45 and S46 Code of Practice
  • Complaints – Internal Reviews
  • ICO process and actions
  • Appeals and Tribunals
  • Governance, Logging Handling and Replying to requests
  • Policies and Procedures
  • Tenders, Bid information and Contracts
  • Access to Deceased records, Salaries and Expenses
  • “Other legislation – EIR and GDPR/DPA2018
  • Learning from Decision Notices, Training and Staff Awareness

Recommended Learning Pathway

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