Topic outline

  • Support from Hampshire Educational Psychology (HEP)

    See the links below to view current support offered by HEP. 

    • Legal support

      If you require legal advice about a matter, please contact your legal adviser, or if you subscribe to Hampshire's legal support, schoollegalsupport@hants.gov.uk or contact Equality, Education Provision & Safeguarding | Hampshire Services for Schools.

      Your legal adviser will be able to provide advice and support when you or your school may be receiving considerable challenge from external complainants or aspects that may be considered vexatious.

       

      Management of Subject Access Requests and Freedom of Information.

      The following advice should clarify how a school must respond and how such requests can be managed within reasonable timeframes and approaches.

      • Guidance on Freedom of Information (FOI)

        Under the Freedom of Information Act and the Environmental Information Regulations there is a right to request any recorded information held by, or on behalf of, the County Council.

        The FOI process

        If you receive a FOI, you have 20 working days in which to give a full response.

        You must:

        • acknowledge the request
        • ask for more details or clarification if the request is not clear
        • say whether a fee is required to provide the information requested
        • let the requester know of any reason the request may be refused or if any of the information requested falls under exemptions or exceptions
        • give a timescale for completing the request if that information cannot be provided immediately or if a third party must be consulted
        • how the information can be disclosed and the format, for example, electronic. If you do not hold the information requested, you may be able to transfer the request to another public authority that does.

        .

        You must inform in writing if the request for information is turned down and explain why the request has been refused. The main reasons being:

        • you don’t hold the information
        • it would cost too much to comply
        • the request is vexatious or repeated
        • the information is exempt from disclosure under one of the legally permitted exemptions or exceptions. 

        • Making Subject Access Requests (SAR) manageable

        • Current Work Programme

          The Hampshire team continues to work to provide timely support for all leaders in Hampshire schools and provide ongoing support.

          The work currently underway includes:

          • stress risk assessment for all staff
          • Ofsted management support
          • development of a new section within the Manual of People Practice- Managing Culture and Climate
          • developing guidance for schools on communications following a significant event or crisis
          • reviewing governor training materials and engagement ensure advice to governors in relation to headteachers' professional resilience is clear
          • developing a specific Governor training session on Headteacher Professional Resilience.