FOI release

Correspondence about the first aid courses accepted by the SIA

Published 29 March 2023

1. Request

I would like copies of all correspondence including meeting notes and notes made of telephone calls/conversations, within the last 3 months, relating to first aid approvals regarding the SIA licence for security operatives, in relation to what type of first aid course is acceptable or should be acceptable and as to which providers/awarding organisations are acceptable for the delivery such courses.

2. Response

I can confirm that the SIA holds the information you have requested.  I attach a PDF document that includes all relevant copies of correspondence relating to the subject matter within the last 3 months (of the date you submitted this FOI request).

In respect of the part of your request for “meeting notes”, this information is exempt from disclosure under Section 43(2) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.  Section 43(2) of the FOIA relates to information that would, or would be likely to, prejudice the commercial interests of any person (including the public authority holding it).

In deciding whether the release of this information would or would likely, prejudice someone’s commercial interests, I have applied the prejudice test:

1. Applicable interests – disclosing this information would likely have a negative consequence on some awarding organisations involved, which could potentially lead to a commercial threat.

2. Nature of prejudice – the SIA has envisaged that the prejudice would be of substance, as the disclosure of this information could lead to potential legal action or political lobbying, which would likely give way to the prejudice as others outside of the awarding organisations may perceive it as a commercial threat.

As a result of these two factors, the SIA is of the view that there is a likelihood of the occurrence of the prejudice happening should the commercially information be disclosed. It would affect awarding organisations and qualification providers’ competing interests.

The SIA has also considered the public interest test when applying this exemption. We acknowledge there is a public interest in allowing the public access to all copies of correspondence/work in respect of this subject matter because it allows for the SIA as a public body to remain open and transparent, contributing to public confidence in us as a regulator and it promotes competition. However, the SIA considers that withholding the information outweighs the public interest in disclosure in this case. This is because the disclosure of the information would likely prejudice the commercial interests of all parties involved in this sector for the reasons stated in the above test.

[Reference: FOI 0404]