April 02, 2025 | Organisational Information and Performance , Policies
Request Number: F-13753
Category: Policy and Procedures - Policies
Subject: Policies Relating To Child Protection Investigations
Request and Answer:
Your request for information has now been considered. In respect of Section 1(1)(a) of the Act we can confirm that the Police Service of Northern Ireland does hold information to which your request relates. We further consider some of the information you seek in your request is exempt by virtue of section 21 of FOIA and have detailed our rationale as to why this exemption applies.
We have also provided you with links to guidance issued by the Information Commissioner’s Office which we have followed in responding to your request.
Request
Please provide all policies relating to child protection investigations. I have particular interest in any policies relating to GDPR and records which must be kept at all stages of the investigation including any evidence based decision making e.g. Threshold.
Answer
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 21 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 it has been decided to refuse access to the information you have requested. Section 21 of the Act provides that information which is reasonably accessible to the applicant by other means is exempt information.
Section 17(1) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 requires the Police Service of Northern Ireland, when refusing to provide such information (because the information is exempt) to provide you the applicant with a notice which:
(a) states that fact,
(b) specifies the exemption in question and
(c) states (if not otherwise apparent) why the exemption applies.
The exemption, as well as the factors the Department considered when deciding where the public interest lies, are listed below:
Section 21 - Information Reasonably Accessible by Other Means
The full text of exemptions can be found at www.legislation.gov.uk and further guidance on how they operate can be located on the Information Commissioners Office website www.ico.org.uk.
Section 21(1) – Information which is reasonably accessible to the applicant otherwise than under section 1 is exempt information. Section 21 is an absolute, class-based therefore there is no need to carry out a Public Interest Test.
The information you have requested is available from the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Publication Scheme. To access these Publications please visit the following websites at
www.psni.police.uk/sites/default/files/2023-04/Vulnerability%2028%20April%202023.pdf
www.psni.police.uk/sites/default/files/2023-11/Child%20Protection%2017%20October%202023.pdf