DWP Central Freedom of Information Team
e-mail
: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxx.xxx.xx
Our Ref: FOI2020/08228
23 March 2020
Dear Clive Arnold,
Thank you for your Freedom of Information (FoI) request received on 24 February.
You asked:
I am requesting how many complaints have been received regarding the Independent
Assessment Service assessor Mr. Steven Chadwick-Higgins.
Given that Mr. Chadwick-Higgins cannot tell the difference between 6 and 12 meters (which
would be odd for someone that served in the RAF I would have thought) or his left from his
right (again, having served in the RAF I would have thought this simple observation would be
routine)
As estimating distances is vital to qualifying for differing rates of the PIP Mobility award then I
am guessing being so way out on one estimate would not be a 'one-off' occurrence and would
warrant many people complaining.
As the IAS is sub-contracted by the DWP then they should also come under the Freedom of
Informations Act rules, I did ask Atos/IAS regarding complaints against this assessor but
naturally, they ignored any request for information.
DWP Response:
Information relating to the number of complaints made against a named Health Professional
(HP) constitutes that person’s personal data. The department will neither confirm nor deny that
any complaints have been made against a named HP.
Information which would breach a person’s data protection rights is classed as exempt from
release under Section 40(2) of the FoI Act 2000. The Act also allows that under section 40(5),
the department is under no duty to confirm or deny whether the information requested is held
where that would have the effect of disclosing the personal data of a third party which would
breach the first data protection principle.
In applying this exemption, the department has considered whether this is information that
would be expected to be in the public domain in meeting the wider public interest. However, as
the criteria for employment of HPs is in the public domain plus information on how complaints
can be made, we can see no reason why an individual HP would reasonably expect this
information to be placed in the public domain.
If you have any queries about this letter, please contact me quoting the reference number
above.
Yours sincerely,
DWP Central FoI Team
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We
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