TRAINING

Freedom of Information Act and Environmental Information Regulations

Handle FOI and EIR requests with confidence and compliance.

Duration

Half day

Format

Online

Level

Intermediate

CPD Points

3

Price

£195 + VAT

Course Overview

Are you prepared to respond effectively to information requests?

This CPD-accredited, half-day intermediate course provides a practical introduction to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and the Environmental Information Regulations (EIR). While the main focus is FOIA, the course also includes an overview of EIR, helping you understand your responsibilities when individuals exercise their rights to access information.

Through real-world scenarios, you’ll be guided step by step through handling requests, applying exemptions, managing refusals, and understanding appeals processes – giving you the tools to manage requests compliantly and confidently.

Please note: this course covers the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) in depth, not the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002.

2026 Dates:

  • 16 March (12:30pm-4pm)
  • 19 November (9:30am-1pm)

Further dates potentially available by request – contact us now!

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

Understand the scope and history of access to information
  • Describe the history of access to information legislation.
  • Understand the scope of the legislation and which organisations it applies to.
  • Recognise the difference between Freedom of Information requests, Environmental Information requests (EIR), and data rights requests.
  • Recognise the requirements of a valid request under FOI and EIR.
  • Describe the process for handling requests, including timescales and internal reviews.
  • Describe the meaning of vexatious requests and when requests can be refused.
  • Recognise when a request can be refused.
  • Identify the exemptions (FOI) and exceptions (EIR), and understand when they apply.
  • Describe the right of appeal and what action the ICO might take.

Participant Feedback

“The level was very good, Jess worked through the background and right up to some detailed examples very well - I especially liked the way the exercises scaled up in complexity to check understanding.”

Anonymous, Course Participant 2026

Who Should Attend

This course is ideal for:

  • Records and information governance professionals
  • Legal, compliance, and data protection teams
  • Public sector staff handling FOI or EIR requests
  • Anyone seeking practical guidance on managing access to information requests

What’s included

What You'll Leave With

You’ll leave this course with a clear understanding of how to manage FOI and EIR requests, apply exemptions appropriately, and handle appeals and refusals with confidence.

Course Overview Video

Explore Learning Pathways

Intermediate Certifications

Intermediate courses are for participants with a solid understanding of the topic, offering a deeper dive into specific areas through practical exercises, examples, and case studies.

Advanced Certifications

Advanced courses are designed for participants who want to build on their existing knowledge and gain a deeper understanding of how to implement and manage complex requirements effectively.

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