Freedom of Information and Publication Scheme

The Freedom of Information Act (FOI) applies to all information we hold with the exception of personal information about individuals, which is covered by the Data Protection Act.

FOI has been introduced by the Government to make it easier for members of the public to gain access to public sector information.

Under the Act, from 1^st January 2005, members of the public have the right to ask LRPA for information we hold either in paper format or electronically. Unless this information falls within one of the exempt categories laid down by the Act, we will be required to confirm that we hold the information, and supply it to them within 20 working days. In practice, very few of the exemptions will apply to any of the information held by the Probation Service, although personal records are exempt as they are covered by the Data Protection Act 1998.

We are also required to proactively make information available to the public via a publication scheme listing all information readily available to the public either in paper format or via the area website.

The Act is retrospective and applies to all information held by the Probation Area no matter how old it is nor how out of date it is.

PURPOSE AND STRUCTURE OF THE SCHEME

The Leicestershire and Rutland Probation Board publication scheme provides a route map to help find information quickly and easily.

The scheme specifies:

• the classes of information we publish or intend to publish
• the manner in which we publish or intend to publish information in each class, and
• whether the material is or is intended to be available free of charge or on payment..

The Probation Board seeks to be as open as possible, and to comply with the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information. Copies of this are available free of charge from:

Freedom of Information and Data Protection Unit,

Department for Constitutional Affairs

Selborne House,

54 Victoria Street

London. SW1E 6QW.

The employee responsible for maintaining the publication scheme on a daily basis is the Information Access Officer. Contact on 0116 242 3265 or write to

Information Access Officer

Information/IT unit.

Probation headquarters

2 St John Street, Leicester. LE1 3BE.

CHARGING

Information will be provided free of charge, except where:

• there is a substantial administrative cost in providing it - where this is the case we will provide details,
• there is a cover charge indicated for a published document, and
• glossy or other bound paper copies, or in some cases a CD rom, video or other mediums are provided.

No charge will be made for information carried on the web site. For those without internet access, a single print-out as on the website will be available by post from the request contact point shown above.

INFORMATION CLASSES

The Publication Scheme aims to make large amount of local Probation information readily accessible to the public, on a continuous basis. The Board is committed to releasing more material in the future.

The board will make available information under the following classes:

Development and implementation of Probation policy

Class: studies, research reports, statistical compilations by internal staff and external specialists that are relevant to current performance and the development of policy proposals.

Class: inspectorate reports and responses, Ombudsman decisions, subject to data protection legislation.

Class: explanatory background to local policy proposals and decisions.

Class: local guidance including Approved Premises' regimes/rules, schedules of locally delivered programmes and interventions.

Class: public consultation documents, supporting documents and responses.

Role, function and management of Probation Services locally

Class: annual reports, business plans, board and committee meeting agendas and minutes.

Class: organisation charts, lists of services provided, with contact details.

Class: personnel policies, local recruitment policy or initiatives, leaflets, careers packs.

Class: explanatory material on the Probation Board's dealings with the public, including rules, procedures, internal guidance and administrative manuals.

Information for the public

Class: FOI scheme.

Class: local complaints procedure.

Class: details of enforcement and compliance actions and rulings in cases that have been the subject of appeals.

Class: victim support leaflets, local policy/practice statement.

Procurement, grants, loans and guarantees

Class: procurement and supplier policies.

Class: information on specific projects including bidding opportunities, decision criteria, contract performance standards and results or regular performance reviews.

Class: schedule of contracts awarded.

Class: policies on the awarding of grants, loans and the provision of guarantees, details of grants and loans awarded, guarantees provided, details of reviews and outcomes.

Keynote speeches

Class: speeches and presentations by local senior management.

Press notices/media campaigns

Class: area press notices/briefings.

Class: local media campaign documentation.

Newsletters

Class: locally produced newsletters and similar communication.

COMPLAINTS

Any complaints about the operation of the publication scheme, or how the Probation Board has dealt with a request for information, should be sent to

Information Access Officer

Information/IT unit.

Probation headquarters

2 St John Street, Leicester. LE1 3BE.

REVIEW

The Probation Board will review the publication scheme annually and will monitor it regularly.