Deputy Chief Executive's Office

Annie Faulder (Interim)

28^th January 2009

Dear Madam,

Freedom of Information Request - 001213

Further to our letter of 25^th January 2010 your request for information has now been considered and the information requested is as follows.

During 2009, the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) claimed that two related campaigns were being conducted.

1. A campaign to vilify Graham Badman, author of a report into home education.

2. A campaign to inundate the DCSF with Freedom of Information requests.

Recent comments by a senior official in the DCSF suggested that these alleged campaigns might have spread to include local authorities.

I would like you to provide me with the following information.

First, please confirm whether or not you have observed these alleged campaigns.

Second, please confirm whether or not you have exchanged any correspondence with the DCSF regarding these alleged campaigns.

Finally, if you have exchanged correspondence with the DCSF on this issue then please provide me with copies of that correspondence.

A1: Our Home and School Inclusion Officer who monitors Elective Home Education has been aware of attempts to undermine the findings of the Badman Report due to her looking at the Education Otherwise website.  We have no knowledge of any campaign to inundate the DCSF with FOI requests.

A2: We have had no exchange of correspondence on this issue.

If you have any queries or concerns then please contact me, contact details are given at the top of the letter.

If you are dissatisfied with any aspect of the handling of your request also please contact me.

Further information is also available from the Information Commissioner at:

Information Commissioner's Office

Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF

Telephone: 01625 545 745 www.ico.gov.uk

Yours sincerely

GEOFF HARDY

SPECIAL PROJECTS LAWYER

ASSISTANT CHIEF EXECUTIVE'S OFFICE

LEGAL AND DEMOCRATIC

Working in partnership for the people of Herefordshire

Herefordshire Council, Legal Services, Blackfriars, Blackfriars Street, HR4 9ZR (DX: 135296 HEREFORD 3)

Herefordshire Council Main Switchboard (01432) 260000, www.herefordshire.gov.uk

NHS Herefordshire Main Switchboard (01432) 344344, www.herefordshire.nhs.uk

001213 provide info 280110