Freedom of Information

1. Legal requirement

1.1 Adopting a publication scheme is a requirement of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. This Act promotes greater openness and accountability across the public sector by requiring all 'public authorities' to make information available proactively, through a publication scheme.

1.2 'Public authorities' are defined in the Act and include universities, further education colleges and sixth form colleges.

2. What is a publication scheme?

2.1 A publication scheme is a document which describes the information a public authority publishes, or intends to publish. In this context, 'publish' means to make information available, routinely. These descriptions are called 'classes of information'. The scheme is not a list of the actual publications, because this will change as new material is published or existing material revised. It is, however, the public authority's commitment to make available the information described.

2.2 A publication scheme must set out the classes, or categories, of information published. It must also make clear how the information described can be accessed and whether or not charges will be made.

3. The 'model' publication scheme for Further Education

3.1 CVQO has adopted the model publication scheme developed for the Further Education sector and is therefore committed to publishing the information it describes.

4. Who we are

4.1 CVQO provides the opportunity for members of the Combined Cadet Force (CCF), Sea Cadet Corps (SCC), Army Cadet Force (ACF) and the Air Training Corps (ATC) to gain internationally recognised vocational qualifications.

4.2 CVQO was founded in 2002 as part of the Army Cadet Force Association. It became an independent registered charity and Company Limited by Guarantee in 2006.

4.3 CVQO is accredited by Edexcel, City & Guilds and the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM) to deliver a wide range of qualifications that have been carefully selected to show employers and educators the wide range of skills including leadership, teambuilding, problem-solving, communication, health and physical fitness that young people and adults learn through the Cadet Forces. By offering qualifications designed to develop and improve these important practical skills CVQO aims to provide its members with greater opportunities in both the workplace and in higher education.

5. Accessing information covered by the publication scheme

5.1 The classes of information we publish are described in the second part of the scheme.

5.2 Next to each class we have indicated the manner in which the information described will be available. We have also indicated whether charges apply to material in each class.

5.3 To request information available through our publication scheme, please contact:

Commercial Director
CVQO
3 Archipelago
Lyon Way
Frimley
Camberley
GU16 7ER
01276 601701

5.4 Please note that a publication scheme relates to 'published' information. Therefore, material covered has already been prepared in a format ready for distribution.

5.5 Published information will be made available on request in community languages and also in Braille and large print.

6. What about information not covered by the publication scheme?

6.1 You have the right, under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, to request any information held by a public authority which it has not already made available through its publication scheme.

6.2 Public authorities will have 20 working days to respond to information requests. They may charge a fee, which will have to be calculated according to Fees Regulations. They will not be required to release information to which an exemption in the Act legitimately applies. However, public authorities may be required to explain to the applicant why they are not releasing information and they may also have to justify this to the Information Commissioner.

7. Fees

7.1 The government has not set the fees yet but it is likely that the cost of a request will be as follows:

Information on the Internet

Information is free of charge on the website (i.e. there is no charge by us), but the user will have to meet any charges by their Internet Service Provider, personal printing costs, etc.

Information in hard copy

For those without Internet access, a single print-out from the website page(s) will be available by post by contacting the address given in section 5.3. Photocopying and postage costs will apply.
Information can be viewed in hard copy at the address given in section 5.3. A charge will be made for any photocopies.
If a charge is applicable it will be specified at the time of the request and will be payable in advance of the information being provided.

8. Feedback

8.1 It is important that this publication scheme meets your needs. If you find the scheme difficult to understand, please let us know. We also welcome suggestions as to how our scheme might be improved. Any questions, comments or complaints about this scheme should be sent in writing to the Publication Scheme Co-ordinator below.

Commercial Director
CVQO
3 Archipelago
Lyon Way
Frimley
Camberley
GU16 7ER

8.2 If we are unable to resolve any complaint, you can complain to the Information Commissioner, the independent body who oversees the Freedom of Information Act:

Information Commissioner
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF

9. Further information

Part two of the CVQO Publication Scheme is available here.

More information about the Freedom of Information Act is available on the Information Commissioner's website at:

www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk

Please note that Scotland has its own Freedom of Information Act and Information Commissioner. For more information, please see the Scottish Executive's website at: