Freedom of Information Act (FoIA) Masterclass

Freedom of Information Act (FoIA) Masterclass

The Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FoIA) gives the public a right to access information held by public authorities. Responding correctly to FoIA requests is a legal requirement for public sector organisations and an important part of demonstrating openness and accountability.

This Freedom of Information Act Masterclass provides practical guidance on how to manage FoIA requests efficiently, apply exemptions correctly, and meet legal deadlines. Delivered by experienced data protection practitioners, the course combines expert instruction, real-world case studies, and practical exercises to help professionals handle FoIA requests with confidence.

What You Will Learn

• What the Freedom of Information Act is and which organisations it applies to.
• What counts as a valid FoIA request.
• FoIA response timescales and how to meet the 20 working day deadline.
• How to search for and retrieve requested information.
• How to apply exemptions correctly, including absolute and qualified exemptions.
• How the public interest test works for qualified exemptions.
• How FoIA interacts with UK GDPR when a request includes personal data.
• When a request should be handled as a Subject Access Request instead.
• How to handle vexatious or repeated requests.
• How to prepare and send a compliant FoIA response.

Inside the FoIA Process

This masterclass provides practical guidance on every stage of the FoIA lifecycle:

• Recognising when a Freedom of Information request has been made.
• Understanding what information must be provided.
• Searching records for relevant information.
• Applying exemptions and the public interest test.
• Identifying where personal data should be handled separately under UK GDPR.
• Preparing and delivering a compliant response.

Practical Learning

This training is designed to ensure you can apply the knowledge immediately in your workplace.

• Practical exercises to reinforce the theory of handling FoIA requests.
• Real-world case studies explored through tutor-led discussion.
• A comprehensive workbook to support learning and future reference.
• Practical guidance for managing FoIA requests within your organisation.

Who Should Attend?

This course is designed for professionals responsible for handling Freedom of Information requests, including:

• Information governance professionals
• Data Protection Officers (DPOs)
• Local authority and public sector staff
• School business managers
• Compliance professionals
• Anyone responsible for responding to FoIA requests

Why FoIA Training Matters

Public authorities must respond to Freedom of Information requests within strict legal deadlines. Mishandling a request, whether by missing the deadline or wrongly applying an exemption, can result in complaints to the Information Commissioner’s Office and reputational damage.

This course provides the knowledge and practical skills needed to manage FoIA requests effectively while protecting sensitive information appropriately.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Freedom of Information request?

A Freedom of Information request is a request made under FoIA for information held by a public authority, which the authority must normally provide unless an exemption applies.

How long do public authorities have to respond?

Public authorities must normally respond within 20 working days of receiving a valid request.

What happens if a request includes personal data?

If a request is for the requester’s own personal data, it should usually be handled as a Subject Access Request under UK GDPR rather than FoIA.

Can a public authority refuse a request?

Yes, where an exemption applies, and in the case of qualified exemptions, where the public interest favours withholding the information.

Join the FoIA Masterclass

Strengthen your organisation’s ability to respond to Freedom of Information requests confidently and compliantly.

Join our FoIA Masterclass to gain practical knowledge and ensure your organisation meets its legal requirements.