FOI Officer

Job content

As a member of the Patient Services Team, the post holder will co-ordinate and respond to incoming requests for information that fall within the Freedom of Information (FoI) Act.
Working with the FOI Coordinator, they will use their experience and knowledge to provide appropriate responses.
The postholder will support the FOI Coordinator to ensure there are robust, up to date and fit for purpose policies and procedures to respond to FOI requests.

Administer all aspects of the FOI process, specifically:

• Co-ordinate the process for FOI requests ensuring these are delivered in accordance with the legal national standard timeframe.
• Administer the Freedom of Information system.
• Maintain the FOI database and produce periodic reports as required.
• Maintain and update the publication scheme and FOI Policy and procedures, to ensure they are compliant with national legislation.
• Ensure that information available on the websites in relation to individuals submitting requests to the Trust is current and up to date
• To assess the information requested / provided, which maybe complex or sensitive, to ensure it is appropriate for release, and where not, applying the appropriate exemption under the Act
• To work closely with the FOI Coordinator and Directorate Leads to obtain sign-off (where required) for those qualified exemptions in the FOI Act. This will involve detailed conversations to explain how the exemption applies to the information being requested.

NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care - Our NHS People Promise
Our NHS People Promise –the promise we must all make to each other, to work together to improve the experience of working in the NHS for everyone. Like many other employers, NHS GM currently has evidence of unwarranted inequalities in the workforce, most notably in relation to minoritised ethnic, female andor disabled staff and their intersectionality. As a result, we will use positive action measures to bring benefits to our organisation, including a wider pool of talented, skilled and experienced people from which to recruit and a better understanding of the needs of a more diverse range of customers.

We are Compassionate

We are inclusive, actively promote equality and diversity, and challenge discrimination.

We are kind and treat people with compassion, courtesy, and respect.

We are Curious

We aim for the highest standards and seek to continually improve, harnessing our ingenuity.

We can be trusted to do what we promise.

We will develop our cultural proficiencies, ensuring we deliver well to all our diverse communities.

We are Collaborative

We collaborate, forming effective partnerships to achieve our common goals.

We celebrate success and support our people to be the best they can be

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Administer all aspects of the FOI process, specifically:
Co-ordinate the process for FOI requests ensuring these are delivered in accordance with the legal national standard timeframe.

Administer the Freedom of Information system.

Maintain the FOI database and produce periodic reports as required.

Maintain and update the publication scheme and FOI Policy and procedures, to ensure they are compliant with national legislation.

Ensure that information available on the websites in relation to individuals submitting requests to the Trust is current and up to date

To assess the information requested / provided, which maybe complex or sensitive, to ensure it is appropriate for release, and where not, applying the appropriate exemption under the Act

To work closely with the FOI Coordinator and Directorate Leads to obtain sign-off (where required) for those qualified exemptions in the FOI Act. This will involve detailed conversations to explain how the exemption applies to the information being requested.

COMMUNICATION

Receive and manage FOI request from patients and the public

Liaise directly with patients and the public to discuss and respond to FOI request

Work with staff at all levels across the organisation to provide information and draft responses to FOI requests

Work with colleagues in the Patient Services team to provide accurate data on the management of FOI requests

INFORMATION RESOURCES, ANALYSIS AND DECISION MAKING

Receive and act upon FOI requests to the FOI inbox
NHS GM Integrated Care - Template JDPS January 2023 3

Draft accurate responses to FOI requests in line with legislation

Provide information and advice on the application of exemptions under the FOI Act

Manage a caseload of FOI requests

Log case details onto the FOI database

Contribute to the FOI log

Contribute to the Publication Scheme

Ensure all information is managed in accordance with Information Governance policies.

PLANNING & ORGANISATION

Ensure FOIs being worked on are responded to within statutory timescales

Manage own time and work effectively to ensure service delivery within statutory timescales

PATIENT/CLIENT CARE

Liaise directly with patients and the public when they make an FOI request

Provide specialist advice on rights under the FOI Act

Ensure access for patients and the public to enable them to make FOI requests

Provide accessible information on rights under the FOI Act and how to make an FOI request

POLICY & SERVICE DEVELOPMENT

Contribute to the development of the FOI policy, process and procedures

Contribute to the FOI log

Contribute to the Publication Scheme

Contribute to Patient Services monitoring and assurance reports identifying key themes from FOI requests and areas of service improvement

FINANCIAL & PHYSICAL RESOURCES

Receive and act upon FOI requests into the FOI inbox.

Record FOI casework on the FOI database

Record FOI activity on the FOI log

Contribute to the Publication Scheme

RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT & AUDIT

Carry out web-based and publications research to maintain knowledge of FOI and contribute to future service development.

Be aware of national guidance within health and social care, highlighting implications for FOI

Support the Implementation of independent regulators’ decisions.

Conduct and participate in internal and external audits when required.