Handling requests is about how the public authority is able to receive an FOI request and its ability to complete the request within the statutory timescales. The questions within this module include how processes are documented, their availability to your colleagues and how the public authority learns from previous request handling.
All questions are mandatory.
Criteria
Good:
The public authority’s procedures for handling FOI requests are clear and easily accessible and regularly reviewed.
There is a clear route for requesters to follow when requesting information or internal review.
Consideration is always given to providing the requester with advice and assistance to enable them to clarify or rephrase their request.
Reasonable searches are carried out to establish whether the requested information is held, within statutory timescales.
Liaison with relevant parties does not prevent responding within statutory timescales.
Procedures are always updated to reflect action taken or recommendations for change arising from the handling of previous cases.
Adequate:
There is a route for requesters to follow when requesting information or internal review but it is not well advertised.
The public authority has procedures for handling FOI requests but they are not clear, easily accessible or regularly reviewed.
Consideration is sometimes given to providing the requester with advice and assistance to enable them to clarify or rephrase their request.
Reasonable searches are carried out to establish whether the requested information is held, mostly within statutory timescales.
Liaison with relevant parties occasionally prevents responding within statutory timescales.
Procedures are sometimes updated to reflect action taken or recommendations for change arising from the handling of previous cases.
Unsatisfactory:
The public authority does not advertise to requesters how to make a request for information or internal review.
There are few, inadequate, or no procedures for handling FOI requests.
The requester is rarely, or never, provided with advice and assistance to enable them to clarify or rephrase their request.
Searches to establish whether the requested information is held are rarely or never carried out within statutory timescales.
Liaison with relevant parties often prevents responding within statutory timescales.
Procedures are rarely or never updated to reflect action taken or recommendations for change arising from the handling of previous cases.