Redaction training on Consultations: FOI release

Information requested

1. The training materials used to instruct staff in the redaction of consultations, including the threshold at which comments are to be redacted for being:

• Inappropriate or offensive content that might be harmful to others
• Inflammatory or likely to result in distress and alarm
• Criticism of colleagues, teams, business areas or contractors
• Disrespectful

2. Which departments/companies developed the training materials.

3. The information given to consultation respondents informing them that their comments will be subjected to moderation (the "About you" section in the online form does not include this even although it would be relevant to the publishing preference).

Response

1. The training materials used to instruct staff in the redaction of consultations, including the threshold at which comments are to be redacted for being:

• Inappropriate or offensive content that might be harmful to others
• Inflammatory or likely to result in distress and alarm
• Criticism of colleagues, teams, business areas or contractors
• Disrespectful

Our internal guidance has been released as part of a previous FOI request: Consultation Good Practice handbook. It provides guidance for SG staff on what to consider when redacting consultation responses prior to publishing. It is up to the team running the consultation to decide how to redact responses prior to publishing.

It is important to note that these redactions only apply when publishing the response (if permission has been given to do so). The full unredacted response will always be considered during the analysis.

2. Which departments/companies developed the training materials.

The guidance was developed by a Scottish Government internal short term working group, which included researchers and analysts from across the SG, alongside the Digital Engagement Team (part of the Communications Division).

3. The information given to consultation respondents informing them that their comments will be subjected to moderation (the "About you" section in the online form does not include this even although it would be relevant to the publishing preference). 

A publication setting out our approach to consultation is available on gov.scot (which includes information on response redaction). We have also made our Good Practice Handbook available via a previous FOI, also published on gov.scot.

Most of the information you have requested is available from the links provided above. Under section 25(1) of FOISA, we do not have to give you information which is already reasonably accessible to you. If, however, you do not have internet access to obtain this information from the website(s) listed, then please contact me again and I will send you a paper copy.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at https://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.