Local Government Consumer Adviser

protecting your community in local government consumer advice

Introduction
Local government consumer advisers listen, guide, support, protect and help solve problems.  They protect individuals and businesses by providing them with legal advice on all consumer matters.  They also help identify any criminal malpractice – affecting both customers and traders – and pass on cases to trading standards officers for investigation.  

Consumer advisers work closely with local government trading standards officers in all types of council except for district councils.
Work Environment

Local government consumer advisers are office-based, but sometimes have to make visits to places where consumer affairs are likely to be an issue, such as factories or shops.  They might also have to do some advisory work in schools.  They work a standard 37 hour week, although some evening and weekend shifts might be required.

 

Daily Activities

All too often, consumers find themselves as victims of trading malpractice, for example, garages carrying out poor repairs, badly fitted windows, unacceptable plumbing and building work, mail order sales that never arrive, counterfeit goods bought in a market, or misleading advertising.  Businesses also suffer from similar problems, for example, a trader might receive faulty goods from unscrupulous suppliers that they pass on to the customer unknowingly.  Local government consumer advisers are involved in helping people with these issues.

 
In some areas of the country consumer advisers deal with members of the public wishing to make a complaint or seeking advice, either on the telephone or face-to-face.  However, in some areas of the country many initial queries of this nature are now handled by the Government’s Consumer Direct helpline, which is often the first port of call for advice over the telephone.  Consumer Direct works closely with trading standards departments in local councils and refers the more complex enquiries and complaints to consumer advisers.

 
Local government consumer advisers visit shops, markets, petrol stations, building materials suppliers when required, in order to investigate any problems with goods or services.  Sometimes the problems might be caused by simple incompetence or neglect.  However, if they are of a criminal nature, the consumer adviser will refer them to a local government trading standards officer.

 
Other areas of work for consumer advisers include providing advice on small claims procedures, campaigning proactively for vulnerable consumers such as older people, and going out to schools and community groups to educate and inform the public about consumer rights.

 
Skills & Interests
Local government consumer advisers need to:

  • be excellent communicators with a wide range of people,
  • be able to understand and pick out key issues from a range of information,
  • be able to work both on their own and with others in a team,
  • have a confident, firm manner,
  • have good investigative skills,
  • be good problem solvers.

 

Entry Requirements

The Trading Standards Institute (TSI) professional qualifications in consumer affairs and trading standards are at four levels: Foundation Certificate in Consumer Affairs & Trading Standards; Module Certificate in Consumer Affairs & Trading Standards; Diploma in Consumer Affairs & Trading Standards (DCATS); Higher Diploma in Consumer Affairs & Trading Standards (HDCATS). You can combine study with paid employment and work up through the qualifications, or you can study for a TSI accredited degree and start professional qualifications at a higher level.

The following organisations provide TSI accredited degree courses:
 

Estimated salary range

Local government consumer advisers might expect to earn between £15,500 – £24,500.

Please note that salary information is a guide only and there may be local agreements in place. For further information about salaries for particular positions, please contact your local council directly.

Future prospects & opportunities
 

There is a clear career path within local government trading standards, from technical and assistant level, through to consumer adviser, trading standards officer and then principal or senior officer and managerial positions.  It might be necessary to move to a different council to gain promotion.  However, there might also be opportunities in other public protection services such as environmental health, planning or building control.

Related Occupations

Follow this link to view a list of all related occuptions in Protecting Your Community.

Further Information & Services

Trading Standards Institute www.tradingstandards.gov.uk

TSI careers information www.tscareers.org.uk

You may find further information about this area of work in your local Connexions service/careers office/school careers library - under AC.

 

What should I do next?

Look for current local government Trading Standards Officer vacancies in the following places:

 

  • LGjobs.com - our official recruitment website for local government.
  • Weekly, bi-weekly or monthly jobs bulletins produced by local councils themselves, available from libraries, community centres, town halls/main civic buildings and central council personnel departments.
  • Local council websites.
  • Local newspapers
  • National newspapers - The Guardian is particularly well known for its public sector job advertisements on a Wednesday.

Find out about the council and get some work experience if possible by:

  • Making the most of work experience placements arranged through your school, college or university.
  • Contacting councils close to your home to find out about the work experience opportunities they offer.
  • Talking to someone who does the job you are interested in - ring your local council to see if someone can spare some time.
  • Making an appointment to see a careers adviser for more specific information about jobs and training.