Freedom of Information request handling often becomes stressful because deadline risk is hidden until late in the process. A request may arrive in an inbox, move across departments, wait for evidence, and only become visible again when the clock is already tight.
Start the clock with a visible workflow
The ICO explains that most public authorities may take up to 20 working days to respond to an FOI request, while also emphasising that requests should be handled promptly rather than left until the limit.
Phanera helps by turning each request into a tracked case with a due date, owner, status, and next action. Instead of relying on manual inbox checks, teams can see which requests need attention and where the blockage is.
- Capture the request in one shared dashboard.
- Assign ownership as soon as the request is recognised.
- Calculate and display due dates clearly.
- Escalate requests that are approaching deadline risk.
- Keep response work, notes, and audit history together.
How Phanera helps
Phanera is designed to make FOI deadlines visible to request handlers, managers, and departments before a request becomes overdue.
Move from reminders to accountability
Calendar reminders help individuals, but they do not always show leaders where work is stuck. A shared workflow makes it easier to understand whether a request is waiting on clarification, evidence gathering, review, approval, or response drafting.
The best FOI process is one where every request has a clear owner, clear due date, and clear next step.
— Phanera Team
For teams handling growing request volumes, Phanera gives structure without forcing people back into spreadsheets. The result is a calmer, more consistent process for meeting statutory obligations.