Freedom of Information compliance: Jisc infoNet launches staff development resource

The results of a survey of the higher education sector in England and Wales recently released show that the sector has responded both positively and successfully to the first year of the Freedom of Information Act, with the overwhelming majority of the requests received by institutions being answered fully, on time and free of charge. However, the results also highlight the impact compliance is having on institutions and the resources being diverted to deal with its requirements, with the evidence suggesting that the impact of responding to requests is disproportionate to their quantity.

Jisc infoNet has created a Staff Developers' Pack designed to support educational institutions in their continued efforts to comply with the Act. The pack includes a CD-ROM for use in either a half-day or full-day staff development workshop with a workshop leader and up to 15 participants drawn from the senior management of a university or college. A workshop based around the pack should enable an organisation to identify a number of issues raised by the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and the Freedom of Information Act (Scotland) 2002 which need to be addressed by colleges and universities to ensure compliance.

The CD-ROM contains a Jisc infoNet video, 'The Importance of Being Compliant', around which a presentation and number of exercises and activities have been devised. Supporting materials including templates, workshop leader's notes and sample answers to exercises are also included.

For more information and to order your copy please go to: FOI staff development pack

The online survey was carried out between mid-October to mid-November and attracted a response rate of 50% of Universities UK and SCOP members from within England & Wales. To view the full survey results and related resources please go to: FOI survey results