Freedom of Information Officer

at  Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust

This post is a fixed term contract for 12 months.
As a member of the Information Governance Team act as the Trusts Freedom of Information Lead, co-ordinating the management and response of incoming requests for information that fall within the Freedom of Information (FoI) Act. Using expert advice and knowledge to fulfil appropriate responses.

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 Trust’s Freedom of Information system and produce periodic reports for the Information Governance Steering Group and Business and Performance Committee, as required.
Maintain and update the Trust publication scheme and FOI Policy and procedures, in line with national legislation.
Ensure that information available on the Trust 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 Directorate Lead 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.
Manage the internal review process when FOI responses are challenged, liaising with the Information Governance and Directorate Leads as required
Liaise with the Communications Team, Clinical Directors, Associate Directors and Executives (where appropriate) in the event of likely media interest arising from such requests.
Work proactively to promote FOI awareness, including dissemination of the FOI Policy and Procedure.
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust is a health and social care organisation dedicated to providing high-quality care with compassion to improve the health and wellbeing of the people we care for, as well as supporting and empowering them to lead a fulfilling life.
Our clinical teams deliver many NHS services, not only via inpatient and primary care settings, but also within the community. These services include children’s, adult and older people’s mental health, forensic and specialist mental health, learning disabilities, primary care and liaison psychiatry, substance misuse, social care, research and development.
To achieve our goal, we look to recruit high-calibre candidates who share our vision and values. As an equal opportunities employer, we encourage applications from all sectors of the community, particularly from under-represented groups including people with long term conditions and members of our ethnic minority and LGBTQ+ communities.
Please be advised we reserve the right to close adverts earlier than the closing date should we receive sufficient applications.
Regrettably, we cannot offer sponsorship for all our job roles. If you apply for a role that we cannot offer sponsorship for, unfortunately, your application form will be rejected from the process.
For further information on CPFT, please visit our website at www.cpft.nhs.uk
Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for full details of responsibilities.
Ensure that the Trust complies with its Data Protection, and Access to Records legal duties.
Advise and assist the Board of Directors, Council of Governors and other staff on Information governance matters.
Provide efficient, effective and proactive service and guidance to Trust staff, incorporating a range of administrative and logistical duties and Information Governance related projects, as required.
Assist in the production of the FOI element of the Annual Report.
Provide effective supervision to lower bands as required
Support the administration of committee reports in relation to FOI requests.
Participate in regular supervision in accordance with good practice guidelines and Trust policy.
Participate in the Trust’s annual appraisal process.
Attend all relevant mandatory training as and when required to do so

Please refer the Job description for details