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Freedom of Information

Requests for information under Freedom of Information (FOI) or the Environmental Information Regulations (EIR)

Need help

Our FOI team can help you make your request.
Telephone: 0300 123 0808
Email: [email protected]

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) gives the public a general right of access to almost all types of recorded information held by the Trust.  Similarly, the Environmental Information Regulations (EIR) provide public access to the recorded information we hold related to the environment. The FOIA and EIR are overseen by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)

How to access information from a public authority | ICO
The FOIA and EIR impose two important obligations on the Trust. The first is to make information available to the public proactively and this is achieved via our Publication Scheme. The second is to provide recorded information we hold in response to requests, subject to several exemptions or exceptions allowed for under the legislation.

If you are seeking personal health records, this is called a Subject Access Request (SAR).

This information is not available under the Freedom of Information Act.

The Trust’s Disclosure Log lists information we’ve shared under the Freedom of Information Act or Environmental Information Regulations, when it’s in the public interest.

You can search the log for previously released data and responses.

If you need any information in a more accessible format, please contact the FOI Office

Email: [email protected]

If the information you’re looking for isn’t in our publication scheme or disclosure log, you can still submit a request to the FOI Office.

Essex University Partnership Trust follows the ICO’s model scheme, which helps you access routine information online. The scheme includes these 7 categories:

1.Who we are and what we do

2.What we spend and how we spend it

3.Our priorities and performance

4.How we make decisions

5.Our policies and procedures

6.Lists and registers

7.The services we offer

We have a legal duty under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Environmental Information Regulations (EIR) to help anyone who wants to request information.

Our FOI Team may contact you to:

•Clarify what you’re asking for

•Let you know if the request is too broad and help narrow it down

•Advise if the request mainly covers exempt information and suggest changes

•Let you know if the request is vexatious or repeated

•Help you make a request verbally, if needed

•If your request is changed or clarified, the 20 working day response time starts again from the date we receive the updated version

If we don’t hear from you within 7 days, your request will be closed.

Most information available through our Publication Scheme is free of charge.

However, we may charge you for:

  • Photocopying or printing large documents
  • Postage costs for sending hard copies
  • Copying information onto other media (like a CD-ROM)

If any charges apply, we will:

  • Send you a Fees Notice explaining the cost
  • Contact you first to let you know

You’ll always have the option to cancel the request if you don’t want to pay the fee.

While the Trust values transparency, there are times when we can’t provide certain information.

Under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), there are 23 legal exemptions.

Under the Environmental Information Regulations (EIR), there are 14 exceptions.

Applying exemptions/exceptions to requests is part of a legitimate response to FOI/EIR requests and it is the Trust’s duty to consider whether any apply.

These may be used if it’s not appropriate or practical to release the information.

If we withhold information:

  • We’ll explain why in our response
  • We’ll also tell you what next steps you can take

Useful links

If you’re unhappy with how your request was handled — for example, if:

  • Your request was refused
  • You didn’t get a response
  • You feel you weren’t given the right advice

Please send your complaint within 40 working days of our original response. Don’t forget to include your FOI reference number in your message.

The Trust will review your complaint and respond within 20 working days.

If you’re still not satisfied after the review, you can appeal to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) within 2 months of our final response.

If you wish to make an enquiry about the Trust and you cannot find the information you are looking for on our website then please write to us at:

The FOI Team (Legal Department)
The Lodge
Lodge Approach
Runwell
Wickford, Essex
SS11 7XX

Or email: [email protected]

Requests for information under the Freedom of Information Act must be made in writing (including email) and in order for us to process your request you must provide us with:

  • The way you would like the information sent to you (e.g. email or post)
  • Your name
  • A contact address (email or postal)

The information / documents you would like to access – giving as much detail as possible to allow us to identify it and provide you with as complete a response as possible.

We are required to respond to requests for information within 20 working days of the date of receipt of your request – applicants will be kept informed if any delays appear likely. Once your request has been received we will write and acknowledge this.