Information Rights OfficerBand 5

Main area

Digital & Technology

Grade

Band 5

Contract

Permanent

Hours

Full time - 37.5 hours per week

Job ref

367-CORP-101687

Site

Waverley Road

Town

St Albans

Salary

£33,677 - £40,996 per annum, pro rata (inclusive of 5% HCAS)

Salary period

Yearly

Closing

15/10/2026 23:59

Values Based Screener

At Hertfordshire Partnership Foundation Trust we are looking for people to join us who share our values and those of the NHS. Before your application can be considered please take part on our online values questionnaire, which you can find below. When you have finished you will be sent a 'completion code' by email, which will be valid for 6 months and required to submit your application form.

Job overview

Whilst we welcome all applications from all suitable candidates, unfortunately, we will not be offering sponsorship for this role.

The post holder will undertake day to day responsibility for formal access to information requests under Data Protection Legislation, Freedom of Information Act 2000, and the Environmental Information Regulations 2000.

They will also manage requests from the Police, Courts, and other statutory bodies.

The post holder will highlight any legal or other queries with the Information Governance Manager and ensure that all requests are processed in line with Trust Policy, and the appropriate legislation.

Main duties of the job

Provide advice to members of the public who may need assistance with an information request. This includes adviseon the following Information Rights Law:

• Data Protection Act

• UK General Data Protection Regulation

• Access to Health Records

• Freedom of Information

• Environmental Information Regulations

Provide advice and guidance to all levels of staff on access to information processes e.g.: the formal access to service user records process, Freedom of Information Act 2000, and Environmental Information Regulations.

• To be responsible for responding to requests under Data Protection laws in relation to a person's care and treatment.

To be responsible for the management of Freedom of Information requests, from receipt to closure.

• Answer telephone and email queries in relation to information management and confidentiality issues.
• Ensure requests from police are accompanied with appropriate paperwork e.g. consent from the service user, Section 212 exemption under the Data Protection Act 2018 or a Sealed Court Order.

Manage and maintain the Trust's hard copy archive, under instruction from the Information Governance Manager.

Working for our organisation

Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (HPFT) is an outstanding organisation with ambitions to match. We are one of just five mental health trusts to achieve an overall rating of 'Outstanding' from the Care Quality Commission, and our aim is to be the leading provider of mental health and specialist learning disability services in the country.

Our family of over 4000 members of staff provide health and social care for over 400,000 people with mental ill health, physical ill health and learning disabilities across Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and Norfolk, delivering these services within the community and several inpatient settings. We also deliver a range of nationally commissioned specialist services including Tier 4 services for children and young people, perinatal services, plus medium and low secure learning disabilities services.

The care we provide makes a fantastic difference to the lives of our service users, their families and carers - everything is underpinned by choice, independence and equality, with our Trust values embedded throughout:

Our Trust values are:

Welcoming. Kind. Positive. Respectful. Professional.

These values are at the core of who we are, everything we do, and how we do it!

Would you like to be part of the HPFT family? Would you like work with us to ensure our service users live the fullest lives possible they can? Would you like to be supported in your career to be the best that you can be?

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• Provide advice and guidance to all levels of staff on access to information processes e.g.: the formal access to service user records process, Freedom of Information Act 2000, and Environmental Information Regulations.

• To be responsible for responding to requests under Data Protection laws in relation to a person's care and treatment.

• To be responsible for the management of Freedom of Information requests, from receipt to closure.

• Identify and flag any issues that may arise through changes in legislation e.g. changes required to standard documents.

• Answer telephone and email queries in relation to information management and confidentiality issues.

• Update knowledge of new developments in legislation surrounding care records management systems technologies, Freedom of Information Act 2000 and Environmental Information Regulations 2000, Data protection legislation, and associated topics.

• Ensure requests from police are accompanied with appropriate paperwork e.g. consent from the service user, Section 212 exemption under the Data Protection Act 2018 or a Sealed Court Order.

• Manage and maintain the Trust's hard copy archive, under instruction from the Information Governance Manager.

Person specificationQualificationsEssential criteria

• Knowledge of administrative procedures and information analysis
• Minimum of 2 years' experience in relevant field.

Desirable criteria

• Previously worked in similar position within the public sector

ExperienceEssential criteria

• High standard of IT skills including working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, and Access packages
• Experience of working with staff at all levels including clinicians
• Self-disciplined, proven ability to work with minimal supervision
• Excellent organisational and prioritising skills
• Able to work under pressure and complete tasks within agreed deadlines

Desirable criteria

• Knowledge of audit and research
• Evidence of training individuals and groups
• Specialist knowledge of the: Data Protection legislation
• Specialist knowledge of the: Access to Health Records Act 1990
• Specialist knowledge of the: Freedom of Information Act 2000
• Specialist knowledge of the: Environmental Information Regulations 2005

Please note, we do not...