Freedom of Information (FOI) Administrative Officer
The closing date is 01 April 2026
We are looking for an enthusiastic individual who will log and process Freedom of Information Requests to maintain an efficient mandatory service to the public. This role is vital in supporting the Trust in meeting its legislative obligations. The post holder will also be required to assist the Information Governance Team and wider Corporate Governance Team as and when needed.
They will have experience of working as an administrator, together with an understanding of the NHS and be familiar with the requirements of responding to information requests under statutory legislation such as Freedom of Information Act 2000 and Data Protection 2018.
The post holder must be competent with using Microsoft Office and would be beneficial to have experience with Trust systems such as Careflow EPR. Good communication skills are essential, as is an ability to prioritise and organise your own workload.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will provide a high‑quality access to records service for patients of this Trust including maintenance of a robust and efficient Freedom of Information (FOI) request process and the co‑ordination of departments in the Trust to collate the requested information in a timely fashion. Also, assisting in other duties arising from the ever‑changing information governance agenda. The post holder will develop themselves to meet the evolving needs of the service, ensuring efficient and effective use of all resources.
Job responsibilities
* Facilitate the process for FOI requests ensuring these are delivered in accordance with the legal national standard timeframe with minimal management. This will involve prioritising work and monitoring deadlines.
* All requests are dealt with using the Trust FOI Portal so the post holder will be the administrator for this system and will be required to maintain the data held within to ensure it is up to date.
* From the portal, produce reports for Information Governance Meeting about FOI statistics.
* Assist in ensuring that information provided by FOI champions across the Trust is checked for possible exemptions under the FOI Act and for personal data under the Data Protection Act 2018. Guidance regarding the application of exemptions should be sought from one of the appropriate senior managers in the first instance.
* Ensure that all personal information is checked for third‑party references and appropriate action taken.
* Develop, promote, refine and monitor the required FOI policy, procedures and guidance for implementation in the Trust which may mean review of current procedures and the introduction of change to working practice.
* Understand current best practice and ensure that this is communicated clearly and acted upon effectively, in particular to provide expert interpretation of national guidance and legislation for implementation in the Trust.
* Provide specialist knowledge, consultancy and expert advice to the Trust staff in a consistent way across all aspects of Information Governance. The nature of the role demands that highly complex and contentious statutory and regulatory requirements are implemented across the Trust and understood by all staff members.
* Support the planning and delivery of medium and long‑term Information Governance initiatives and projects.
* Monitor compliance with GDPR and other data protection laws, and with the data protection policies, including managing internal data protection activities; raising awareness of data protection issues, training staff and conducting internal audits.
* Ensure knowledge about all areas of Information Governance and changes to legislation is as up to date and current as reasonably possible by seeking appropriate training and courses through the year.
* Undertake such duties as may be required from time to time that are consistent with the responsibilities of the grade and the needs of the service.
* Manage storage and retrieval of information/records.
* Make decisions using their own experience and knowledge when prioritising workload to ensure appropriate and efficient service delivery. Assist in coordinating and prioritising the workload of the Information Governance Team and the wider Clinical Governance and Corporate Team.
About us
The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic NHS Trust (RJAH) is one of the leading orthopaedic hospitals in the country, with some of the highest levels of staff and patient satisfaction, as well as a strong reputation for research and innovation.
In the National Staff Survey, 74% of our staff would recommend the Trust as a place to work and 92% would recommend the hospital to a friend or relative for treatment.
Joining RJAH is more than just a job – we want our people to have the best opportunities to thrive in their role. We have a range of fantastic staff benefits on offer to everyone who joins RJAH and you'll have access to outstanding professional development opportunities and state‑of‑the‑art facilities.
RJAH has strong links with a range of universities including Staffordshire, Keele, Glyndwr, Chester and Birmingham. The hospital is located on a site outside Oswestry in Oswestry, just off the A5. The nearest train station is in Gobowen, approximately two miles from the hospital. The station is part of the Chester to Birmingham line. We are based in North Shropshire, close to the border with North and Mid Wales. It is one of the most attractive parts of the country, with a rich historic culture and excellent transport links. It offers outstanding opportunities for anyone who enjoys an outdoor lifestyle or is looking to raise a family.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* Level 4 NVQ or equivalent experience gained through working in the governance environment
* Evidence of CPD in the subject matter of information governance
Experience
* Experience within an information governance related area
* Experience of managing own workload to ensure efficiency and timeliness and be able to prioritise to meet required deadlines
* Working with highly sensitive, complex and confidential information
* Knowledge of information governance, Freedom of Information, access to records and health records policies and procedures
Skills
* Proficient computer skills and accurate data entry skills to allow timely management of FOI requests
* Ability to interpret highly complex and sensitive data and present to all levels of staff
* Can meet deadlines within allotted timeframes
* In relation to Information Governance and FOI, knowledge of Apollo, National Care Records System (Spine Portal), incident reporting systems
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Address
The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHS FT
Salary
£27,485 to £30,162 a year per annum pro rata
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Part‑time
Reference number
224-PA20260303425
Job locations
The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHS FT
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