Subject access requests (requests for access to personal data)

You may not be happy with one or more aspects of your response, below are some examples and the types of information you could provide as part of your request for a review:

1. You would like the decision not to provide some or all of the information reviewed:

• Tell us what part(s) you believe should be released;
• Tell us why you believe this should be released, for example you believe it relates to a situation you are aware of and explain what you know.
• If an exemption has been applied, for example if information has been removed as it was the personal data of another individual, and you do not believe this is the case.   Please state this and provide as much information as possible as to why you believe it was not an appropriate use of the exemption.   

2. You believe you have not received all the information you asked for (and no exemption was applied):

• Tell us what part(s) you believe are missing, including file name(s) and page number(s). g. 123456789 MASH records 1 Redacted. Pages 3, 17, 34;
• If information has been withheld from a page and not explained, share with us a copy of what you received, so wherever possible we can check against originals;
• Provide us with as much detail as possible to help us find it, e.g.:
• Time and date or date ranges;
• Name(s) of relevant council staff ;
• Subject – be as specific as possible. For example, if your review relates to a specific service then provide us with details of which services you have been in contact with or have not been provided information about.
• Provide details of the type of document(s), e.g. email, policy, report;
• Detail which pages of a specified document are missing E.g. 123456789 MASH records 1 Redacted. Pages 3, 17, 34;

If a document or email has only been disclosed in part, share with us the copy you have received, explaining which parts you believe are missing.

3.  You don’t understand the reasons given for withholding information

• Let us know which part of the explanation you don’t understand;
• Let us know if there are specific parts of a record that you would like to better understand the reasons for withholding it (tell us the name of the document and which part of the removed information you are interested in).

4.  You experienced delays in receiving your response

The aspects you might want us to review are:

• Whether a delay occurred;
• The communication with you about the delay;
• Explanations you were given for the delay.

5. Your request has not been responded to

• Let us know any reference numbers you were given;
• Tell us who (which officer or team) you made your request to;
• Tell us the date and time (if possible) of your request;
• If possible, provide us with a copy of your original request

6.  You have requested access to social care files and not been offered support with this

 Please let us know and we will contact social care to arrange this.