/ Islington Town Hall
Upper Street
London
N1 2UD
T 0207-527-4329
E
DATE 12/04/2016
Dear Mr Zola
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST REF No:FOI 490589 - Working Better Scheme
Thank you for your information request, received on 28/02/2016.
You requested the following information:
  1. Description Please email me a copy of any tender adverts, tender docs, winning submissions and contracts relating to your 'Working Better' scheme that you hold.
On your (LBI’s) website it says: "What about disabled people that are worried about their data being used wrongly? No client information from this pilot is shared with JCP or DWP. We operate strict rules about data sharing"
  1. Regarding data sharing, what access do Remploy employment coaches have to GP medical records? Please disclose full details of this access
  2. For the personal data processed by Remploy, who is the Data Controller and who are the Data Processors for it?
  3. What specific personal data is shared with GP practices participating in the scheme by Remploy and do GP practices also process or control the personal data created with this scheme?
  4. As part of the scheme can Remploy engage with Jobcentres and DWP as part of it's coaching role and as such the sharing of personal data of participant with Jobcentres and DWP would be needed to fulfil this engagement?
Can scheme participants object [not consent] to any personal data processed by Remploy being shared with Islington Council or a GP practice?
Our response is:
  1. Description Please email me a copy of any tender adverts, tender docs, winning submissions and contracts relating to your 'Working Better' scheme that you hold.
Please find attached the following documents. There was no advertisement.
  • Invitation letter to bid
  • Specification
  • Key Elements of great employment support
The contract and submission cannot be provided as these are exempt from disclosure under Section 43(2) - commercial information - of the Freedom of Information Act. In considering this exemption the council has considered how prejudice would arise to the developer's commercial operations due to these documents containing details of sensitive contracts, financing mechanisms, private settlements, and expected values for services purchased) and how this balances against any demonstrable public interest factors, in particular transparency of decision making.
Section 43(2) is a qualified exemption and requires a public interest test to be carried out.
Factor in favour of disclosure:
•Releasing this information may increase public accountability
Factors in favour of withholding:
•The Council's relationship with current and prospective contractors and will be harmed if there is a fear that commercially sensitive information will be released into the public domain.
•The council has an obligation under the Code of Transparency to publish financial information relating to the contracts that it enters into with third parties.
  1. Regarding data sharing, what access do Remploy employment coaches have to GP medical records? Please disclose full details of this access
Employment coaches do not currently have access to GP medical records. In some GP practices, Employment Coaches previously had access to write notes in patient records. This arrangement has now ceased in the light of the concerns from some members of the public.
  1. For the personal data processed by Remploy, who is the Data Controller and who are the Data Processors for it?
Remploy are the controller (and processor) for the data they collect from the client. GPs are the controllers for the data they supply – i.e. client name and contact.
  1. What specific personal data is shared with GP practices participating in the scheme by Remploy and do GP practices also process or control the personal data created with this scheme?
We don’t know this. It will be up to the patient, with their coach and GP, as to what information is shared.
  1. As part of the scheme can Remploy engage with Jobcentres and DWP as part of it's coaching role and as such the sharing of personal data of participant with Jobcentres and DWP would be needed to fulfil this engagement?
There is no sharing of personal data with JCP and DWP, and this is not needed to fulfil the engagement.
Can scheme participants object [not consent] to any personal data processed by Remploy being shared with Islington Council or a GP practice?
Yes
If you are not satisfied with the way in which your request has been handled or the outcome, you may request an internal review within two calendar months of the date of this response by contacting: Information Complaints, Digital Services, Room G17, Town Hall, Upper Street, London N1 2UD. Email:
Further information is also available from the Information Commissioner's Office, at Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF. Telephone: 01625 545 700. Web:
Yours sincerely,
Keith Stanger
Crime & Disorder Intelligence Manager
If you would like this document in large print or Braille, audiotape or in another language, please telephone 020 7527 2000.