Unaccompanied Minors- Care Of

Dear Ms R

REF: 2010/COR0173 FREEDOM OF INFORMATION- INFORMATION REQUEST

I acknowledge your request received on 03 March 2010

Your request is being considered and you will receive the information requested within the statutory timescale of 20 working days as defined by the Freedom of Information Act 2000, subject to the information not being exempt or containing a reference to a third party.

If appropriate, the information may be provided in paper copy, normal font size, or electronically. If you require alternative formats, e.g. language, audio, large print, etc. then please let me know.

For your information, the Act defines a number of exemptions which may prevent release of the information you have requested. There will be an assessment and if any of the exemption categories apply then the information will not be released. You will be informed if this is the case, including your rights of appeal.

If the information you request contains reference to a third party then they may be consulted prior to a decision being taken on whether or not to release the information to you. You will be informed if this is the case.

There may a fee payable for this information. This will be considered and you will be informed if a fee is payable. In this event the fee must be paid before the information is processed and released. The 20 working day time limit for responses is suspended until receipt of the payment.

If you have any queries do not hesitate to contact me.

Further information is available from the Information Commissioner's Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 5AF, Telephone: 01625 545 700, http://www.ico.gov.uk

Yours sincerely

Alison Ross-Dow
Senior Information Management Officer
London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham
Information Management Team/Finance & Corporate Services
2nd Floor, Hammersmith Town Hall Extension
King Street
London W6 9JU
DL: 020 8753 2455

www.lbhf.gov.uk

Director of Finance & Corporate Services: Jane West

Dear Ms R

REF: 2010/COR0173 FREEDOM OF INFORMATION- INFORMATION REQUEST

Your request for information has now been considered and our response is as follows:

1. How many unaccompanied minors under the age of 18 are looked after by Hammersmith and Fulhams Children's Services under Section 20 of the Children Act 1989?

This information is subject to a Refusal Notice under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. The relevant exemption is s.40, personal data. The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) advise that where the amount of data retrieved is very small that this could enable individuals to identify themselves and be identified from it. Such a release of personal data would therefore constitute a breach under the Data Protection Act 1998 and put the council at risk of Enforcement Action by the ICO.

2. How many unaccompanied minors under the age of 18 are looked after by Hammersmith and Fulhams Children's Services under Section 17 of the Children Act 1989?

This information is subject to a Refusal Notice under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. The relevant exemption is s.40, personal data. The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) advise that where the amount of data retrieved is very small that this could enable individuals to identify themselves and be identified from it. Such a release of personal data would therefore constitute a breach under the Data Protection Act 1998 and put the council at risk of Enforcement Action by the ICO.

3. How many former unaccompanied minors (over the age of 18) are receiving services from the Independent Living Scheme in Hammermsith and Fulham?

This information is subject to a Refusal Notice under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. The relevant exemption is s.40, personal data. The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) advise that where the amount of data retrieved is very small that this could enable individuals to identify themselves and be identified from it. Such a release of personal data would therefore constitute a breach under the Data Protection Act 1998 and put the council at risk of Enforcement Action by the ICO.

If you are dissatisfied in any way you may write to the Information Manager, Business Technology, 2nd Floor, Hammersmith Town Hall Extension, London W6 9JU

Once you have exhausted the complaints procedure you may appeal to the Information Commissioner's Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 5AF, Telephone: 01625 545 700, http://www.ico.gov.uk

Yours sincerely

Alison Ross-Dow
Senior Information Management Officer
London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham
Information Management Team/Finance & Corporate Services
2nd Floor, Hammersmith Town Hall Extension
King Street
London W6 9JU
DL: 020 8753 2455

www.lbhf.gov.uk

Director of Finance & Corporate Services: Jane West