FOI 25-590 Bank/Agency Staff for Comms Team

Freedom of Information Request

Reference
FOI 25-590 Bank/Agency Staff for Comms Team
Request Date
19 Dec 2025
Response Date
23 Dec 2025
Information Requested

Request for Information: I request the following information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 regarding temporary worker usage for communications roles. 
 
Definition of Scope: For the purposes of this request, "communications" refers to any function or team managed, hosted, or funded through the Trust’s structures (including work performed for regional Emergency Services collaborations, Integrated Care Boards (ICBs), or shared service models) that encompasses: 
 
Internal or external communications functions; 
 
Media relations, Corporate Communications, or the Press Office; 
 
Social media management and digital content; 
 
Public health or emergency safety marketing and campaign management (where these sit within the communications structure). 
 
Definition of Personnel: For the purposes of this request, the term "agency" refers to all temporary or non-permanent staff, including those engaged via an external recruitment agency, a Managed Service Provider (MSP), or the Trust’s internal "Staff Bank" where such an arrangement exists. 
 
Timing and Cooperation: To ensure the data provided is accurate and aligned with your internal reporting cycles, I am happy to allow the necessary time for your teams to complete the December 2025 (Month 9) month-end close before running these reports. I recognise that the holiday period may impact administrative capacity and I seek a collaborative approach to ensure the provision of a complete and reconciled dataset. 
 
Please provide the following data: 
 
1. 2025/26 Actuals and Outturn Forecast: 
 
1a: Provide the total number of days a temporary worker was employed via an agency or bank for the communications roles defined above from 1 April 2025 to the end of the December 2025 (Month 9) reporting period. (If data is only held in hours, please provide the total hours and specify the standard working day length to avoid manual conversion). 
 
1b: Provide the current projected year-end outturn for the total number of agency/bank days for these roles for the full 2025/26 financial year (ending 31 March 2026). 
 
1c: Provide a breakdown of these days by Agenda for Change (AfC) Band or job title. 
 
2. 2026/27 Planned Requirements: 
 
2a: Provide the total number of days currently budgeted or forecasted for agency-provided or bank communications staff for the 2026/27 financial year. 
 
2b. Funding and Management Qualifier: This request explicitly includes all agency and bank requirements managed or funded through the Trust, regardless of whether the end-user is the Trust itself, an ICB, or a regional Emergency Services partnership. 
 
2c. Financial Qualifier: Note that I am requesting the currently held financial forecasts and draft budget allocations for 2026/27 as they exist at the time of this request. If these forecasts do not yet segment requirements by specific band, please provide the overall forecasted budget for temporary staffing within the communications function. 
 
Public Interest and Statutory Compliance: This information is requested to ensure transparency regarding the use of public funds and the efficiency of NHS and Emergency Service staffing structures. There is a clear and compelling public interest in disclosure regarding how authorities manage workforce budgets and their reliance on non-permanent staffing models. 
 
Requirement for Third-Party Data: If this information is held on your behalf by a Managed Service Provider (MSP) or Master Vendor, note that under Section 3(2)(b) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, this information is deemed to be held by the public authority. I respectfully request you immediately retrieve this data from your provider to fulfill this request without delay.

Response

I can confirm that the Scottish Ambulance Service does not employ agency, bank, or temporary staff in the communications roles specified. As such: 

  • The total number of days or hours for temporary workers in these roles for 2025/26 is zero. 
  • There is no projected year-end outturn for these roles for 2025/26. 
  • There is no breakdown by Agenda for Change band or job title. 
  • There are no budgeted or forecasted requirements for agency or bank communications staff for 2026/27. 
  • No financial forecasts or draft budget allocations exist for temporary staffing within the communications function. 

 

Accordingly, the remainder of your questions are not applicable. 

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