EdTech provider approvals process: Scottish local authorities

The request was partially successful.

Dear Fife Council,

Please use the date of receipt of this request, to provide:

1. The most recent version of the approved and barred list of software and technology suppliers to schools and educational establishments in Scotland.

This may be for example, a list in any format, to be used by your Local Authority educational organisations, to aid in their procurement process for services and software (paid and free offerings); in effect a 'red' and 'green' list of suppliers and technology products, used in schools, such as software, apps and platforms; and their status or other associated information, which enables or prevents their use in a school.

2. Please also provide a copy of the template documents that a company must complete in order to qualify for inclusion on the approved list, such as the due diligence or DPIA requirements made on them, as part of the decision assessment to qualify for 1).

We understand from Education Scotland that they do not hold this list nationally, but that it is held at individual council level.

Thank you.
Sincerely,

Jen Persson

Fife Council

Dear Jen Persson,

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION (SCOTLAND) ACT 2002 – REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

Thank you for your information request received on 17/06/2019 our ref: 27525. This is being dealt with in terms of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002.

We are presently assessing your request and may be in touch soon to ask for further clarification or to offer advice and assistance if we are not able to fulfil your request in its present form.

The legislation allows us up to 20 working days from the date that we receive a valid request, including any clarification we require, to make a final response. We will be in touch within 20 working days of receipt of your initial request to provide our response or to seek clarification where necessary. We hope to provide you with the information you are looking for at an earlier date where possible.

Yours sincerely,

Elaine Walters
Information Specialist

Elaine Walters, Fife Council

1 Attachment

Dear Jen Persson,

 

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION (SCOTLAND) ACT 2002 – REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

 

I refer to your information request received 17/06/2019, our ref: 27525. 

 

Fife Council does not hold all of the information you require in terms of
Section 17 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002. A further
explanation is provided below:

 

1. The most recent version of the approved and barred list of software and
technology suppliers to schools and educational establishments in
Scotland.

This may be for example, a list in any format, to be used by your Local
Authority educational organisations, to aid in their procurement process
for services and software (paid and free offerings); in effect a 'red' and
'green' list of suppliers and technology products, used in schools, such
as software, apps and platforms; and their status or other associated
information, which enables or prevents their use in a school.

 

The Council does not hold a list of approved/barred list of software and
technology supplier to schools and educational establishments in Scotland
in terms of s.17 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002.  The
Council is in the process of reviewing the various apps/systems in place
within schools in Fife to ensure any such products or projects are GDPR
compliant and comply to all ICT security regulations and legislative
requirements.  The software/technology would be considered by the ICT
Governance Group within the Education Service regarding its educational
suitability and application.

2. Please also provide a copy of the template documents that a company
must complete in order to qualify for inclusion on the approved list, such
as the due diligence or DPIA requirements made on them, as part of the
decision assessment to qualify for 1.

We understand from Education Scotland that they do not hold this list
nationally, but that it is held at individual council level.

 

As noted above, the Council does not hold the information held at 1. As
part of our review of the various apps/systems referred to above, the
Council has been working with certain suppliers to finalise DPIAs.  A
company is not obliged to complete this however, depending on their
contractual or data protection relationship with the Council, they may
have an obligation to assist with DPIAs as our data processor.  It is not
clear whether you are seeking a copy of the DPIA template (given that
completion of this by a supplier is not compulsory – it is completed
internally by a member of staff or project manager) however I attach a
copy of the Council’s template for your attention. If a supplier is
interested in contacting the Council regarding an app or system which may
be useful for schools, they should contact Gordon Wardrope, Education
Manager and this would be considered in line with the Council’s
procurement and governance processes.

If you are not satisfied with the way we have handled your request, you
have the right to request a review of the decision.  Please write to: Head
of Legal & Democratic Services, Finance & Corporate Services, Fife House,
North Street, Glenrothes, KY7 5LT or e-mail to [email address]. 
The law provides for you to make this request up to 60 workings days from
when we received your enquiry or 40 working days from when you receive
this correspondence whichever is the later date.  Where the outcome of the
review fails to resolve the matter to your complete satisfaction you have
the right to apply to the Scottish Information Commissioner for a
decision.www.itspublicknowledge.info/Appeal

 

Fife Council will consider and seek to resolve any request to the Head of
Legal & Democratic Services that falls outside these timescales.

 

Yours sincerely

 

 

 

Elaine Walters

Information Specialist

 

 

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References

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1. http://www.fifedirect.org.uk/privacy