Trading Standards Scams Officer

Full Vacancy Description

Job Description                  Trading Standards Scams Support Officer

To act as a Support Officer to residents in the borough as part of the newly created Scams Unit with the Trading Standards department, visiting potential scam victims to offer advice and support to prevent further financial abuse and making referrals as necessary to partner agencies for health, wellbeing & social care services. To provide advice, educative and administrating services associated with the work of the Unit.

Key Accountabilities

To be accountable for and promote equal opportunity, diversity and community cohesion to meet Council, Directorate and Service objectives.  All employees have a responsibility not only for their own behaviour, but also for others regarding equality of opportunity.  Any incident must be reported.

To participate in a Performance Review and Development meeting and undertake a plan of training where necessary.  Develop his/her own skills and expertise in a professional manner.

In addition to all the responsibilities listed, all employees must be flexible in their approach and undertake other duties that are commensurate with post holder’s level, wherever they may be, to achieve the objectives of the Directorate.

To represent the Council and Directorate in a professional manner meeting the Corporate and Directorate aims.  To comply with Directorate and Corporate policies.

If appropriate to be responsible for the recruitment and performance management of designated teams and individuals in accordance with Corporate and Directorate aims and management style.

To comply with the council’s financial regulation and standing orders.

To actively promote the Council’s commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults at a level appropriate to this group.

Employees must comply with health and safety legislation and will be required to comply with the Council’s Health and Safety Policies. All employees must ensure that they take reasonable care of their own health and safety as well as the health and safety of any person that is affected by their actions.

To be responsible for adhering to legislative requirements and Council Policies and Procedures including, but not exclusively health & safety, Data Protection and Internet/Email use.

Specific Accountabilities

To visit potential victims of doorstep crime/scams and financial abuse in the borough and offer advice and support to prevent further financial abuse. 

To coordinate data exchange with the National Scams Hub in relation to suspected scam victims. To meet targets in relation to visits to potential victims. 

To engage with partner agencies to deliver joint responses to alleged incidents of scams and financial abuse.

To liaise with other agencies as appropriate to deliver a support package to vulnerable residents.

To offer additional advice and support during visits on relevant & agreed health and wellbeing services by Making Every Contact Count (MECC) and signposting onto other services where necessary, e.g. fuel poverty, loneliness & isolation, money management.

To assist, in a support capacity, in enforcement operations relevant to the role, under the guidance and supervision of enforcement officer(s).

To assist in interviewing vulnerable and intimidated victims and witnesses in Achieving Best Evidence (ABE) in criminal proceedings by dealing sensitively with victims and witnesses and assisting in the conduct of video recorded interviews in line with legislation & guidance.

To liaise with the Adults Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub

To refer victims of abuse to Adult Safeguarding where appropriate.

To respond to complaints and enquiries relevant to the role, including to external and internal customers, trade, industry, commerce and consumers as required.

To work to raise awareness of doorstep crime, scams and financial abuse by means of publicity and engagement with community groups.

To assist as necessary in the delivery of agreed actions in relation to doorstep crime, scams and financial abuse as agreed via the Central England Trading Standards Authorities (CEnTSA) business planning and tasking processes from time to time.

To represent the Trading Standards Service in partnership working in the area of doorstep crime, scams and financial abuse, including working with public health colleagues, HMRC, police and other agencies as appropriate and representing the Service at partnership meetings.

To accurately record intelligence relating to the role on the intelligence database.

To be responsible for the safe custody of evidence, exhibits and court documents and to attend and give evidence at Court as a witness in relation to cases dealt with.

To be responsible for the safe custody of equipment assigned to the postholder, e.g. laptop, mobile phone, PPE etc

To work outside normal hours as required.

To be responsible for safety matters associated with the implementation of work under the control of the postholder.

To give talks or lectures on subjects relevant to the role to a range of external bodies.

To comply with the policies and procedures of the Trading Standards Service.

To deal with any other work which may be assigned to him/her by the Head of Environmental Health and Trading Standards or the Public Protection Manager (Food and Trading Standards) from time to time.

Experience

Experience of dealing with the public.

Either:

Enforcement experience in a trading standards, policing or fraud investigation environment

Or:

Experience in an adult safeguarding or social care environment.

Experience of dealing with elderly and vulnerable people.

Experience of dealing with safeguarding issues.

Experience of managing caseloads and meeting targets.                               

Qualifications/Training                                              

Either:

A. The possession of one of the following from the Trading Standards Qualification Framework (TSQF) or equivalent.

A Certificate of Competence

The Core Skills in Consumer Affairs and Trading Standards (CSCATS) or its antecedents.

Diploma in Consumer Affairs and Trading Standards (DCATS) or its antecedents

Or:

B.  Substantial experience in a trading standards, policing, fraud investigation or safeguarding environment and willingness to train.

Practical Skills

Good communication skills both written and oral.

Able to produce accurate information using a PC and experience of Microsoft Office Applications.

The possession of a full driving licence and the ability to provide transport for which a car allowance will be payable.                       

Personal Qualities and Attributes

Treat people, with whom they deal, with discretion and sensitivity.

The ability to engage with persons who may be vulnerable and/or isolated due to various reasons including mental health issues.

Willingness to co-operate with all levels of staff to ensure the effectiveness of the team and the division.

Able to organise own workload and prioritise effectively

Self-motivated and able to deal effectively with pressure in difficult situations.

Ability to deal with confrontation.

Willing to undertake further general training.

Flexible approach to undertaking duties outside of normal flexi-time hours as required.

A knowledge of equality & diversity issues

DBS Clearance