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The Social Tenant Access to Information Requirements (STAIRS)

The Social Tenants Access to Information Requirements (STAIRs), coming into force in October 2026, gives some tenants FOI-style rights. The intention behind STAIRs is to plug an ‘information rights gap’ experienced by social housing tenants whose landlords are private registered providers, being predominantly housing associations, rather than local authorities. The latter’s tenants have information access rights under the Freedom of Information Act (FOI).

From October 2026, private registered providers will need to proactively publish information (publication scheme) and from April 2027, they will need to respond to tenants’ requests for information which relate to the management of their social housing.

In this is practical workshop we will examine STAIRs in detail and give you an action plan for compliance. Amongst other things, we will discuss how to process information requests, applying the exemptions, deadlines for responses and how to deal with complaints.

Key Topics

  • Introduction to STAIRS
  • Publication schemes
  • What makes a valid request?
  • Difference between a DSAR and a STAIRs request.
  • Timescales
  • The exemptions
  • Practical exercises
  • Complaints procedure

Dates & Cost

Online

£249 plus VAT

Classroom

£299 plus VAT

Timings: 10am to 1pm

 
Date: 03 Sep 2026
Location: Online
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Date: 29 Oct 2026
Location: Online
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Date: 10 Dec 2026
Location: Online
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Course tutors

All our associates are experienced information governance professionals who have been training and advising in this field for many years.

  • Scott Sammons

    Course Tutor


    Scott is an information governance specialist with over 15 years of experience. He has delivered a number international projects for Act Now Training and is a senior tutor on the Advanced Certificate in GDPR Practice. His previous roles include European Data Protection Lead for a bank and GDPR Implementation lead for a council. Scott is a former Chair of the IRMS.

  • Susan Wolf

    Course Tutor


    Susan holds a judicial position as a Fee Paid Member of the Upper Tribunal (Information Rights). She spent ten years teaching the LLM in Information Rights Law at Northumbria University and developed their Postgraduate Certificate in Data Protection Law and Information Governance. Susan is one of the senior curriculum developers for Act Now Training.

  • Iain Harrison

    Course Tutor


    Iain is currently an Information Governance Risk Manager for large local authority and has over 20 years of experience. He has been delivering training for Act Now for over seven years in GDPR and FOI for public, private and charitiable organisations. His extensive experience in planning and implementation of Information Rights legislation allows him to bring training sessions to life.

  • Craig Geddes

    Course Tutor


    Craig is a certified archivist and records manager with 28 years of experience in information governance. He has served as an Archivist, Records Manager, and Senior Information Officer for numerous Scottish local administrations. Craig has spent many years developing and delivering training on records management, freedom of information and data protection.

  • Kirsty Squires

    Course Tutor


    Kirsty is currently a DPO for a number of local authorities and has over 15 years of experience in Data Governance. She has led the IG Project Team on transformation projects to deliver local government restructure in Northamptonshire, dealing with issues including information sharing, data protection by design and leading on training and policy development.

  • Naomi Matthews

    Course Tutor


    Naomi is a local authority lawyer and holds a judicial position as a Fee Paid Member of the Upper Tribunal (Information Rights). She has extensive experience in all areas of information compliance and RIPA. Her training has been commended by RIPA inspectors and her advice has helped many local authorities understand the law and practicalities of covert surveillance.

  • Olu Odeniyi

    Course Tutor


    Olu Odeniyi is a Cyber Security, Information Security and Digital Transformation Trusted Advisor who has 30 years' experience helping organisations maximise gain from technology solutions, including optimisation of business operations and processes. During this time, Olu held several key senior leadership, strategic and operational positions, in the public and private sectors.

  • Craig Geddes

    Course Tutor


    Craig is a qualified archivist and records manager, with 28 years experience working across the range of information governance activities. He has worked for several Scottish local authorities as Archivist, Records Manager, and Senior Information and Improvement Officer.

What our clients say about us

    I would highly recommend the GDPR Practitioner Course. The Tutor was extremely knowledgeable and gave plenty of chance for group conversation or individual questions. A great course for anyone wanting to expand their knowledge of GDPR and understand putting the principles into practise.
    SL, BCH

    I would highly recommend the GDPR Practitioner Course. The Tutor was extremely knowledgeable and gave plenty of chance for group conversation or individual questions. A great course for anyone wanting to expand their knowledge of GDPR and understand putting the principles into practise.
    SL, BCH

    I learned so much! The course was just the right balance of theory and practical, and was very well delivered.
    CB, CHAS

    The course was very useful as an IG Officer. The trainer was knowledgeable and explained some complex aspects of the legislation using interesting examples and real life scenarios. As a refresher, even with lots of work experience behind me, it was very useful to undertake the Practitioner course. The course materials and handbook are invaluable and I know I will re-use them in conjunction with my usual resources.
    NC, Lincolnshire County Council

    A very practical and all-encompassing coverage of the UK GDPR provided over 4 days. Although 4 days is not enough time to cover this whole subject in depth, there was just enough covered with further resources and links provided within the sessions to cover all aspects of the GDPR to a level at which I now feel a lot more confident in my role. Thank you, Kirsty!
    SW, Norwich University of the Arts