Freedom of Information Assistant

NHS; Worthing; Hybrid; GBP 27,000 - 31,000; Full time

Job summary

A UK healthcare provider seeks a Freedom of Information Assistant to manage FOI requests, ensuring compliance with the Freedom of Information Act 2000. The successful candidate will possess excellent communication skills, substantial administrative experience, and the ability to handle sensitive information. This role offers a salary of £27,485 to £30,162 per annum with permanent full-time contracts available.

Benefits

Flexible working

Wellbeing Programme

Qualifications

• Significant administrative experience in a similar role.
• Experience working to deadlines and under pressure.
• Ability to receive and provide complex, sensitive information.

Responsibilities

• Manage the FOI process ensuring compliance with legislation.
• Draft responses to FOI requests maintaining professionalism.
• Coordinate with staff for comprehensive information responses.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Ability to handle sensitive information

Education

A Level Education or equivalent

Practitioner Certificate in Freedom of Information

Job description

Go back University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

Freedom of Information Assistant

The closing date is 02 October 2025

This position offers an exciting opportunity to join an enthusiastic and well connected team supporting University Hospitals Sussex in our commitment to putting the patient first and being open and transparent with Trust information. The post holder will help to ensure that the Trust maintains compliance with all aspects of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

The successful candidate will have a keen eye for detail and demonstrate a passion toward proactive release of information to the public, in turn helping to influence service demand. This role is important part of driving compliance with all aspects of Freedom of Information Legislation and team members use their visible knowledge and professionalism to motivate and engage colleagues across the organisation toward continued improvement in openness and transparency.

The successful candidate will be highly literate, show excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrate ability to operate independently, building positive and productive relationships throughout the organisation. The role also requires resilience and self-motivation.

Main duties of the job

Responsible for the day-to-day administration of the FOI process in line with the Freedom of Information Act 2000, Code of Practice and Trust policy and procedures the post holder ensures that requests for information are logged, referred and answered within the statutory time period.

The post holder will assist in drafting and issuing releases in response to requests to ensure transparency, help meet the needs of the requestor as well as the meet the Trust's legal duties.

The post holder will maintain clear records of FOI activity and provide comprehensive and accurate information in response to requests, written to a high professional standard. This will require liaising closely with a large number of staff in roles and services across all Trust sites.

The post holder will often work independently, be asked to meet strict deadlines, deliver excellent customer service and maintain an appropriate level of confidentiality at all times.

The post holder will provide administrative support to the management of the FOI team as required.

About us

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the patient first. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We're here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in ourWellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.

As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.

We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.

Job responsibilities

Receive, acknowledge and log all FOI requests; referring requests to the appropriate senior members of staff, asking them to assist with the required information; ensuring staff are aware of their duties in respect of the Act, the requirement to respond and the timetable for response. Liaise with and co-ordinate staff to provide a full and comprehensive response if the FOI request is complex and covers many departments;

Communicate directly with requestors and staff on an individual basis, over the telephone, via email or MS Teams regarding FOI requests; handle these with tact and discretion, recognising that some issues will be of a sensitive and complex nature;

Have responsibility for the maintenance of the Trusts online Publication Scheme; liaising with departments, directorates and corporate functions to ensure that relevant content on the Trust website is appropriate and up to date through regular audits;

Maintain a detailed administration system for the recording, processing and fulfilment of requests for information made under FOI; run queries and create statistical reports as required; maintain and input data to a high level of accuracy, ensuring that all responses include mandatory information required under the Act and consulting with external Third Parties where their interests may be affected by FOI disclosure;

Liaise with relevant department heads and trust leaders for drafted response approval;

Provide administrative support to the FOI Manager as required, such as arranging meetings, distributing information and taking notes; assist with performance reporting for various departments/ committees; coordinate website updates; revise FOI training and reference materials for staff;

Act as a role model and demonstrate behaviour in line with Trust values

Person Specification

Experience/Qualifications

• A Level Education or similar ability; NVQ level 4 or equivalent; Keyboard skills to RSA Level 3 or equivalent.
• Significant administrative experience in a similar role and environment
• Experienced in working to deadlines and under pressure
• Practitioner Certificate in Freedom of Information

Skills

• Proven ability to receive and provide complex, sensitive or contentious information
• Excellent and demonstrable communication skills

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

• Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
• Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).

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.

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

Address

Worthing Hospital / or Cross Site/ Remote

£27,485 to £30,162 a year, per annum, pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Home or remote working, Compressed hours

Reference number

279-7449920-SEP25

Job locations

Worthing Hospital / or Cross Site/ Remote