Practitioner Certificate in Freedom of Information

 

The Practitioner Certificate in Freedom of Information is the practical qualification for those that work in the fields of Freedom of Information and Environmental Information. Successful completion of the Programme demonstrates to employers and others that the candidate possesses a solid knowledge of Freedom of Information law, as well as an understanding of the practical implications for organisations of the legal requirements.

The syllabus for the Practitioner Certificate in Freedom of Information Programme has been designed in consultation with the Information Commissioner's Office, and the Programme is accredited by The Law Society.

 

The Programme

Individuals wishing to gain the qualification must complete the three elements of the Programme:

  • 4 days face-to-face teaching
  • study of course materials
  • the Examination

The tuition section of the Programme requires candidates to attend four one-day Compulsory Courses (see boxes below).

Each course is held in several cities throughout the UK at various times of the year. 

 

Exam Dates

The next dates for the Examination are as follows:

  • Monday, 18th June 2012
  • Friday, 7th December 2012
  • Friday, 14th June 2013
  • Monday, 9th December 2013
  •  

The Fee

£1,745 plus VAT (fully inclusive of tuition, materials and the Examination).

Candidates who have already attended any of the Compulsory Courses are not required to attend them again - a discount of £250 per course already attended will be applied to the Programme fee. Please let us know which courses you have already attended when you enrol on the Programme.

Alternatively if you have completed all 4 relevant courses before enrolling on the Programme, you can enrol for the reduced fee of £375 plus VAT, which covers the printed materials and the Examination.

 

Further Information

If you have a query about the Programme, please:

  • visit the FAQs page
  • telephone PDP at +44 (0)845 226 5723
  • send an email

 

Recommended Reading

Candidates on the Practitioner Certificate in Freedom of information Programme are advised to study one of the following two recommended text books prior to sitting the Examination:

Blackstone’s Guide to the Freedom of Information Act 2000, Fourth Edition, May 2011
By John Wadham, Jonathan Griffiths and Bethan Rigby
Publisher: Oxford University Press; 4th Edition ( May 2011 )
ISBN-10: 0199692211  ISBN-13: 978-0199692217
available at amazon.co.uk  (this link will open in a new window)

Law Society Freedom of Information Handbook, 2nd Edition, February 2008
Edited by: Peter Carey and Marcus Turle
Publisher: Law Society Publishing; 2nd Edition ( April 2008 )
ISBN 9781853286544
available at amazon.co.uk  (this link will open in a new window)

The Programme fee does not include the recommended reading texts.

 

Syllabus

The Syllabus for the Practitioner Certificate in Freedom of Information Programme has been designed by the Examination Board in consultation with the Information Commissioner's Office.

 

Application

Applications for the Programme can be made by

CPD

The Practitioner Certificate in Freedom of Information Programme is accredited by the Law Society and the Bar Council with 20 hours CPD.

 

Dates of Upcoming Courses

  Compulsory Courses
Candidates must attend all 4 courses shown in the table below (click on the links to see the course descriptions which open in a new window)

Compulsory Courses City Date
FOI Practical Training - Level 1 (Essential Knowledge)
ManchesterWed 07 Mar 2012
LondonWed 18 Apr 2012
BelfastWed 30 May 2012
LondonWed 19 Sep 2012
LeedsWed 10 Oct 2012
BristolWed 17 Oct 2012
LondonWed 14 Nov 2012
FOI Practical Training - Level 2 (Applying the Exemptions)
ManchesterThu 08 Mar 2012
LondonThu 19 Apr 2012
BelfastThu 31 May 2012
LondonThu 20 Sep 2012
LeedsThu 11 Oct 2012
BristolThu 18 Oct 2012
LondonThu 15 Nov 2012
FOI and Data Protection - How They Work Together
ManchesterMon 26 Mar 2012
LondonFri 20 Apr 2012
LondonTue 11 Sep 2012
BelfastMon 22 Oct 2012
LondonFri 23 Nov 2012
Understanding the Environmental Information Regulations
ManchesterMon 19 Mar 2012
LondonTue 24 Apr 2012
BelfastTue 23 Oct 2012
LondonMon 03 Dec 2012


Bookings

To make a booking:

 
Make a booking for the Practitioners Certificate in Freedom of Information

Sign up for PDP's Email Newsletter

 

“The FOI Practitioner Programme provides a very good understanding of access to information legislation and my confidence has increased immensely. The course content and materials are fantastic and I use the folders as reference regularly in my role.”
Leila Ridley
Information Compliance Manager at Islington Council


“Many thanks to the tutors and PDP staff for their support during the programme. The course was very helpful in my role and in preparation for the exam.”
Ravinder Singh
Information Manager at Technology Strategy Board


“The PDP Practitioner Certificate in FOI is a comprehensive qualification that gives FOI practitioners up-to-date knowledge and confidence in dealing with information requests.”
Judy Gough
Interim Information Access Manager at Nuclear Decommissioning Authority


“There’s a lot more to dealing with information requests than most people think! Proper training is essential, but it’s great that there is now also the opportunity to become qualified. The FOI Practitioner course and exam was very challenging, but well worth the effort and I’m very glad I did it.”
Jane Hay
Performance Officer at Purbeck District Council