National Institute of Disability Management and Research (NIDMAR) training programme queries: FOI release

Information requested

The following information regarding the NIDMAR training programme supported by the Scottish Government:

1. What organisation formally received Scottish Government funding to support delivery of the NIDMAR training programme from Nov 2020 onward?

2. Was this funding awarded under a grant arrangement, a Service Level Agreement (SLA), or another funding mechanism?

Please provide a copy of the agreement (e.g. grant letter, SLA, or other documentation) confirming the nature of the funding and responsibilities.

3. On what date did the funding agreement (as referred to above) commence?

Response

The answer to your first question is that Fife Employment Action Trust (FEAT) received Scottish Government funding to support delivery of the National Institute of Disability Management and Research (NIDMAR) training programme from November 2020.

The answer to your second question is that funding was awarded under a grant agreement. I have enclosed a copies of all grant agreements between the Scottish Government and FEAT in relation to the NIDMAR training programme, covering the full period of funding from 1 November 2020 to 31 March 2024. The agreements confirm the nature of the funding, the expected objectives/outcomes of the funding, how progress against these objectives/outcomes would be monitored and the role and responsibilities of the programme manager. This information is set out in the sections titled ‘Purposes of the Grant’ and ‘STATEMENT OF REQUIREMENTS’ (Annex 1).

The answer to your third question is that the initial grant agreement between Scottish Government and FEAT commenced on 1 November 2020.

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance we are unable to provide some information from the requested grant agreements between Scottish Government and FEAT. This is because exemptions under FOISA apply to that information.

Firstly, sections 38(1)(a) (personal data relating to the requestor) and 38(1)(b) (personal data relating to a third party) of FOISA apply. These exemptions apply because personal data is protected under the UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018; and disclosure of personal data within the grant agreements, otherwise than under FOISA, would contravene the data protection principle of lawfulness, fairness and transparency.

These exemptions are not subject to the ‘public interest test’, so we are not required to consider if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption.

In addition, an exemption under section 30(c) (prejudice to effective conduct of public affairs) of FOISA applies to FEAT’s bank details which were noted within Schedule 2 of the grant agreements you have requested copies of, and which are being released. This is because disclosure of a former grantee’s bank details would expose them to undue risk of harm and severely prejudice the Scottish Government’s ability to enter into grant agreements, and contract with, external organisations – where banking information is provided in confidence. As a result, this would inhibit our ability to effectively conduct public affairs.

This exemption is subject to the ‘public interest test’. Therefore, taking account of all the circumstances of this case, we have considered if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption. We have found that, on balance, the public interest lies in favour of upholding the exemption. We recognise that there is some public interest in release in line with the core principles of openness and transparency which are essential features of a democratic government. However, as the information being withheld is not material to your request, this is outweighed by the public interest in the Scottish Government maintaining trust with past, present and prospective external grantees and suppliers, in treating their sensitive banking information in confidence – in order to continue the effective conduct of public affairs.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at https://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.

FOI 202500466819 - Information released - Documents

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