Freedom of information act

The Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) gives the public the legal right to access recorded information held by public authorities in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. It is a cornerstone transparency law designed to promote openness, accountability, and trust in public services. Anyone can make an FOI request — individuals, journalists, organisations, or people outside the UK. The requester does not need to give a reason for asking.

Overview

By the end of the course, learners will:

• Understand the purpose and principles of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and its role in promoting transparency and accountability.
• Recognise which organisations and types of information fall within the scope of the Act.
• Develop the ability to identify valid FOI requests and understand the statutory timeframes for responding.
• Gain knowledge of the different categories of exemptions and how they apply to sensitive or restricted information.
• Learn how to apply correct procedures for handling, documenting, and responding to FOI requests.
• Understand the importance of good record-keeping and information management in meeting FOIA obligations.
• Be aware of the consequences of non-compliance, including potential investigations by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).
• Build confidence in supporting organisational compliance and ensuring appropriate disclosure of information while safeguarding confidentiality where required.

Accreditation

This course is CPD Certified

Learning Aims & Outcome

This can include a variety of tasks, such as:

• Provide learners with a solid understanding of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and its importance in enabling public access to information.
• Equip staff with the knowledge and skills required to identify, process, and respond to FOI requests appropriately.
• Strengthen organisational compliance by ensuring learners understand legal responsibilities, exemptions, and disclosure procedures.
• Promote transparency, accountability, and effective information management within organisations.

Duration

Online 2 - 3 Hours

Assesment

The online assessment is taken on completion of the training material. You will be asked 20 multiple choice questions with a pass mark of 100%. The answers are marked automatically so you will instantly know whether you have passed. If you don’t pass don’t worry! You can take the test as many times as you need with no extra charge.