Freedom of Information Officer

Job overview

Part-Time Freedom of Information Officer– NHS Humber Health Partnership

Flexible Opportunity – 10 Hours per Week (Agenda for Change Band 4)

Are you passionate about transparency and the right to information? An exciting opportunity has arisen for a diligent and organised Freedom of Information Officer to join our team on a part-time basis (10 hours per week), with the flexibility to work from home.

As a Freedom of Information Officer, you will join a team which works to ensure our group of hospitals and community services meets its legal obligations under the Freedom of Information Act.

You will be responsible for processing and responding to FOI requests from the public, maintaining accurate records, liaising with hospital departments, and providing guidance on information governance. Strong written and verbal communication skills are essential, as well as attention to detail and the ability to manage deadlines.

Knowledge of NHS policies and the Freedom of Information Act is desirable, but full training will be provided.

Join us in helping to promote openness and accountability in healthcare. This is a remote, flexible role that can fit around your other commitments.

Main duties of the job

• Logging FOI reques
• ·         Sourcing information as requested, from management teams
• ·         Responding to requesters inside 20 working days
• ·         Creating reports for audit purposes.
• ·         Responsible for the receipt and recording of information gathering for and responding to all Freedom of Information (FOI) requests received by the group.
• ·         Responsible for the day-to-day organisational running of the group FOI process, ensuring effective administrative procedures are followed and compliance with statutory legislative responsibilities is achieved; working to the strict legislative deadline of responding to all requests within 20 working days.
• ·         Manages a public inbox answering all queries and forwarding them to the appropriate team or individual for a response.
• ·         Advises on the meaning of the FOI Act including exemptions to senior members of staff. Provides information and advice relating to Freedom of Information to senior members of group staff, members of the public and external organisations for the group.
• ·         Works as part of the Communications team.
• ·         Main duties and responsibilities of post holder
• ·         Be the principle point of contact at the group for all queries relating to Freedom of Information (FOI).
• ·         Deal with highly complex, contentious sensitive information from patients, the press, members of the public etc, on matters relating to Freedom of Information and general enquiries.
• ·         Communicate with Directors and senior members of the group on FOI issues and will provide advice and challenge to staff at all levels to ensure compliance with the FOI act is achieved.
• ·         Draft complex written responses to FOI requests, with exemptions where required.
• ·         Communicate with the Information Commissioner’s Office and other trusts regionally and nationally to ensure a consistency of response to FOI requests.
• ·         Understand and interpret the legislation and policies in place in service of handling reviews and complaints regarding FOI requests.
• ·         Evaluate the information provided by colleagues across the group, checking for any information governance/data protection issues, and anything that may be inappropriate to publish.
• ·         Can advise on redactions to FOI responses, removing any information that should not be provided.
• ·         Can recognise vexatious complaints and draft refusal notices in accordance with the Act, and with Director level approval.
• ·         Deals with all enquiries effectively and responsibly deciding upon appropriate follow-up action for non -responses.
• ·         Identify improvements to working practices.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• Responsible for the receipt and recording of information gathering for and responding to all Freedom of Information (FOI) requests received by the group.
• Responsible for the day-to-day organisational running of the group FOI process, ensuring effective administrative procedures are followed and compliance with statutory legislative responsibilities is achieved; working to the strict legislative deadline of responding to all requests within 20 working days.
• Manages a public inbox answering all queries and forwarding them to the appropriate team or individual for a response.
• Advises on the meaning of the FOI Act including exemptions to senior members of staff. Provides information and advice relating to Freedom of Information to senior members of group staff, members of the public and external organisations for the group.
• Works as part of the Communications team.

Main duties and responsibilities of post holder

• Be the principle point of contact at the group for all queries relating to Freedom of Information (FOI).
• Deal with highly complex, contentious sensitive information from patients, the press, members of the public etc, on matters relating to Freedom of Information and general enquiries.
• Communicate with Directors and senior members of the group on FOI issues and will provide advice and challenge to staff at all levels to ensure compliance with the FOI act is achieved.
• Draft complex written responses to FOI requests, with exemptions where required.
• Communicate with the Information Commissioner’s Office and other trusts regionally and nationally to ensure a consistency of response to FOI requests.
• Understand and interpret the legislation and policies in place in service of handling reviews and complaints regarding FOI requests.
• Evaluate the information provided by colleagues across the group, checking for any information governance/data protection issues, and anything that may be inappropriate to publish.
• Can advise on redactions to FOI responses, removing any information that should not be provided.
• Can recognise vexatious complaints and draft refusal notices in accordance with the Act, and with Director level approval.
• Deals with all enquiries effectively and responsibly deciding upon appropriate follow-up action for non -responses.
• Identify improvements to working practices.