SAR Support for Multi-Academy Trusts

Data Access Office is a leading supplier of SAR support to multi-academy trusts (MATs) across the UK. Subject access requests are particularly time consuming for MATs due to the wider number of individuals eligible to make a subject access request:

• Current and former pupils
• Current and former staff members (both teaching and support staff)
• Parents or guardians of current or former pupils requesting information that you hold about them, the parent
• Parents or guardians of current or former pupils requesting information that you hold about the pupil.
• Volunteers at any of your schools
• School governors

Along with the legal obligation to comply with all SARs within one calendar month, schools and multi-academy trusts need to pay particular attention to ensuring their safeguarding obligations are maintained throughout the process. In short, the process is time consuming and requires a thorough knowledge of your legal requirements.

Fully-Qualified and Experienced Data Protection Officers

At Data Access Office our experienced and qualified data protection officers can handle the entire SAR process on behalf of your trust. If you prefer, we can provide expert guidance and support to your in-house named data protection officer.

From assessing the scope of the request, collating and uploading all documentation to our secure portal, managing all correspondence, and delivery of the final report, we handle it swiftly and accurately.

Where requests are broad or unclear, we advise on lawful refinements and exemptions, including:

• pausing the statutory response clock where appropriate
• assessing whether an extension is justified
• applying “manifestly excessive or unfounded” provisions when time and resource thresholds are met.