Module 1: Responding on time
This module focuses on helping your authority meet its duty to respond to FOI requests and reviews within 20 working days. By meeting the timescales, right first time, every time, public trust will increase and your authority will reduce the risks of extra work associated with late responses (reviews and appeals).
Module content
The module looks at the following areas of practice:
- Authority culture - Do leaders and managers set targets for response times, do they make sure there are enough resources to meet them?
- Tracking, monitoring and reporting performance - How is performance against timescales reported? What happens when business areas don't comply?
- Knowledge and awareness - Is everyone clear it's their responsibility to meet the statutory timescales?
- Policies and procedures - Are your systems up to scratch? Is there action to resolve delays to prevent late responses?
Download our detailed guide to completing a self-assessment.
Includes:
- Introduction to this module
- Expected outcomes and legal context
- Characteristics of excellent practice for this module
- Ratings and evaluation criteria
Download Module 1 Standards and Criteria.
A workbook of module questions, with sections to record evidence, strengths and areas for improvement.
Download Module 1 Questions and Evidence Grid.
A form to record the assessment findings and give your authority a performance rating for this module.
Download the Summary of Findings document.
A form to plan actions to improve performance.
Download our Improvement Action Plan template.