Availability of HERA material under the Data Protection and Freedom of Information Acts

The different types of material for HERA forms, databases and background documentation cross the boundary between material covered by the Freedom of Information Act (2000) and that covered by the Data Protection Act (1998). When responding to requests for information the College needs to deal accurately and consistently with these interfaces in order to ensure that it meets its legal obligations.

Therefore in December 2005 the Pay Forum agreed a set of protocols concerning the extent to which material generated under HERA would be public, and the extent to which it would be considered as confidential to the individual concerned. The documentation can be downloaded below.

• Data Collection Notice issued to staff completing HERA forms, about the use of the material
  
• HERA Statement of Policy [pdf] based on a proposal paper approved by the Pay Forum in December 2005
• Summary table of protocols relating to particular types of material. (See the Statement of Policy (link above) for a fuller explanation of the reasons for each decision)