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Module 2: Searching for, locating and retrieving information

Module 2: Searching for, locating and retrieving information

This module focuses on helping your authority identify requested information efficiently and effectively. It will help you ensure information searches consistently result in complete, reliable, thorough and proportionate findings, thus reducing the risk of extra work associated repeat searches for reviews and appeals.

Module content

The module looks at the following areas of practice:

  • Lines of accountability - Is it clear who is accountable for searching, is your authority learning from experience?
  • Records management - Is your authority's records management FOI compliant and does it support FOI searches?
  • Procedures and systems - Do FOI procedures enable searching, is there a record of searches, are monitoring arrangements adequate?
  • Guidance and training - Are staff trained and supported to search effectively for requested information?
  • Staff resources - Are staff resources monitored to ensure they're sufficient and there's cover for absence?