Course Features

Pre-course reading

3.5 hour online sessions

40+ hours self-study

Live, interactive Instructor-led training

Unlimited 1-2-1 coaching

Exam preparation

90-minute online BCS exam

Course Overview

The BCS Practitioner Certificate in Freedom of Information offers an in-depth examination of the legislation, codes of practice, frameworks, standards, and ethics concerning the right to request recorded information held by public authorities. As a recognised, independent professional workplace qualification, award holders are often selected to lead disclosure practices within organisations responsible for the delivery of public services that are owned, operated or funded by the state.

The course provides delegates with practical knowledge of the obligations and responsibilities required to be an FOI and EIR compliance professional, enabling organisations to be confident legal compliance is continually addressed.

The BCS FOI Practitioner explores the rights individuals have to be informed about the activities of public bodies, except where there is a valid reason for non-disclosure. It examines how transparency and openness are integral to the degree of trust and confidence placed in providers of public services. Being accountable also encourages open debate, which can drive innovation and ultimately lead to more efficient public service delivery.

Participants attending the BCS FOI Practitioner will develop a thorough understanding of the information access requirements under the Freedom of Information Act (2000), Environmental Information Regulations (2004) and associated legislation. It covers the process and mechanisms used to administer the release of information held by, or on behalf of, organisations that fall under the scope of the FOIA in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

This BCS-accredited FOI training course follows the latest BCS Syllabus (v6.1), which provides a significant refresh, with greater emphasis on records management, corporate governance, and information architecture. It prepares participants for the 90-minute multiple-choice BCS Practitioner Certificate Exam, administered via Questionmark through online remote proctoring.

Participants will also receive a separate 1-day online revision course to help prepare for the BCS exam.

The course is delivered online, although onsite and online in-company options are also available. Delegates can gain a recognised practitioner-level workplace qualification at home or from their desk by attending ten consecutive 3.5-hour live online sessions across two weeks.

Course Costs

Attend the BCS Practitioner Certificate in Freedom of Information for:

£2,149 + VAT

10% discount for subscribing to our PrivacyNewsfeed & Training Announcement Newsletters
15% additional online saving for multiple bookings on public schedule courses
In-company options available for teams of 6 or more

BCS training package includes:

10 x 3.5-hour live online sessions across 2 weeks, or
5 days for a traditional classroom setting
1-day exam preparation online training course
Entrance to the 90-minute BCS Examination
1-2-1 coaching and support
1st year BCS Associate membership

Course materials:

Detailed eBook course manual (see here for eBook features & print options)
Includes free lifetime updates, which means it will never go out of date
Copy of FOIA & EIR legislation, plus relevant Codes of Practice
Full course PowerPoint presentation
Exercises & revision materials
Prep day course materials with sample exam questions

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Intended Audience

The BCS Practitioner Certificate in Freedom of Information is suitable for those individuals with the following roles or responsibilities:

Freedom of Information Managers
Environmental Information Regulations Managers
Information Governance professionals
Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC) professionals
Records Managers, Archivists and Librarians
Data Protection Officers working within the public sector
Press and Communications officers working within the public sector
FOI officers within sectors carrying out public functions or services
FOI officers within relevant public-private partnerships
Solicitors advising on information law

Learning Outcomes

By obtaining the BCS FOI Practitioner Certificate, award holders will:

Hold a recognised practitioner-level qualification in FOI
Possess a deep understanding of FOI in its widest context, including its interaction with EIRs, data protection and associated legislation
Understand the types of information likely to be requested, along with those required to be made available within a Publication Scheme
Know when to apply appropriate legal exemptions or exceptions from disclosure, the public interest test, and the calculation of fees
Be able to apply legal judgments in accordance with the law and relevant case law
Be able to implement policies and procedures that support FOI and EIR compliance
Understand relevant information handling standards and frameworks
Know how to apply the legislation in a practical setting
Be able to prepare clear advice to colleagues and the public
Have the confidence to lead organisational compliance for both FOI and EIR

Course Itinerary

The BCS Practitioner Certificate in Freedom of Information course is currently only available online. The course is delivered over 10 days, with one 3.5-hour live module each day.

The following schedule is intended as a guide:

Module 1	Introductions: • Learning outcomes • Aims of the course • Exam details & techniques
Module 1	Understanding the legislation, codes of practice and ethics: • Bodies covered or excluded from the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) • Governance in public authorities • Legislations relevant to public authorities • Codes of Practice relevant to public authorities, including relevance of sections 47 and 48 • Ethics and legislation within public authorities
Module 2	FOIA scope and principles: • What the Act does • Amendments and extensions to other legislations • Further duties of the Act
	FOIA principles: • Section 84 defining information
	How the purpose of Schedule 1 is amended and applied: • Public Authorities listed in Schedule 1 • Section 4 By order Amending Schedule 1 • Section 5(1) Those designated as public bodies and contracted under Section 5(2) • Section 6 Publicly owned companies • Section 7 Public authorities with limited application • Held information
Module 3	The Codes of Practice in FOI: • Section 45 Access code • Section 46 Records Management code
	Information Architecture, design and structure of information-sharing environments • Retrieval tools, techniques such as software programs
	Publication Schemes Section 19: • Adopting and maintaining an approved scheme • The seven classes of the model publication scheme • Definition documents
Module 4	FOIA Rights (Act and Access Code of Practice): • Section 1(1) (a and b) • Section 8 Valid requests • Section 16 and Section 45 Advice and Assistance, including Clarification, Reducing costs, and Transferring requests • Section 14 Vexatious and Repeated requests • Access code – Responses and Refusals • Access code -Historical Records
Module 5	Section 11 Means of Communication: • Preference for communication • Datasets
	Re-use of public sector information Regulations: • Public bodies in scope • Public bodies out of scope
	Section 11A Re-use of Datasets
	Section 11B Power to charge fees
	Copyright, Design and Patents Act
	Fees and cost limits: • Sections 9 and 13 and Code of Practice guidance • Appropriate limits • Inclusive costs
	Time limits for responding to requests
	Section 10: • Definition of working day • Time variations • Public interest test extensions
Module 6	Disclosure and Non-Disclosure and Exemptions • Main categories of exemptions - Absolute and qualified • Subcategories – Class and Prejudice • Prejudice/harm test • Public Interest Test • Absolute Exemptions – Sections 21, 23, 32, 34, 36, 37, 40, 41, & 44
Module 7	Exemptions (continued): • Parliamentary Privilege • Qualified Exemptions – Sections 22, 24, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 33, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 42, & 43
Module 8	The Removal of Exemptions: • Sections 62 and 63 Historical records:
	Ministerial Certificates: • Sections 23 and 24 National Security Certificates • Section 34 Parliamentary Privilege • Section 53 Ministerial Override
	Environmental Information Regulations (2004): • Scope • Code of Practice • Regulations 12(4) and 12(5) Exceptions
	Principles and lawful conditions in the UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) & Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA18) • Definition of Personal and special category personal data
Module 9	UK GDPR & DPA18 (continued): • DPA section 7 meaning of public authority and public bodies • Section 10 Special categories and criminal convictions • Amendments to FOIA via DPA18
	Enforcement, Offences and Appeals: • Role and powers of the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO)
	Notices: • Section 50 Decision notices • Section 51 Information notices • Section 52 Enforcement notices
	Offences: • Section 77 Offence of Altering records • Section 55 Warrant offences – Power of Entry and Inspection
	Appeals • Access code part 5 – Reviews, complaints, and appeals: • Appeals to the ICO
	The roles and power of the Information Rights Tribunal (TGRC): • Section 58 Determination of appeals • Upper Tribunal • First instance appeals • Judicial Review
Module 10	Questions & Answers
Module 10	Individual 1-2-1 tutorials

BCS FOI Practitioner Syllabus

Practitioner Certificate in Freedom of Information (PC-FOI)
Syllabus version 6.1
February 2021

Download the syllabus (PDF)

This professional certification is not regulated by the following United Kingdom Regulators - Ofqual, Qualification in Wales, CCEA or SQA.

Exam Preparation Day

Exam preparation days are optional and run every bi-monthly. To attend, coordinate and select a relevant date with our office.

The topics covered in this session include:

Part 1. Online discussion and presentation

Exam details and technique
How exam questions are constructed
Common terminology used in questions
Timing
How to read and answer BCS exam questions properly

Part 2. Mock exam

45 minutes mock exam (50% of the exam paper)

Part 3. Discussion, Q&A, review of the mock exam

Group discussion, mock exam answers

Following the examination prep day, the instructor will evaluate each student’s mock paper and provide individual feedback. This will include direct comments on the answers, exam technique and offer guidance for further study areas.

BCS FOI Practitioner Examination

The BCS Practitioner Certificate in Freedom of Information exam format is a 90-minute multiple-choice examination.

The exam is a closed book, i.e. no materials can be taken into the examination room.

Format of the Examination

Type	6 x Multiple choice questions (State and Describe) 12 x Multiple response questions (Explain) 3 x scenario-based questions (Apply and Analyse)
Duration	90 minutes
Supervised	Yes
Open Book	No (no materials can be taken into the examination room)
Pass Mark	39/60 (65%)
Delivery	Digital format only

Additional time for candidates requiring Reasonable Adjustments

Adjustments and/or additional time can be requested in line with the BCS reasonable adjustments policy for candidates with a disability or other special considerations, including English as a second language.