The Devon Consumer Support Network's (CSN) main aim is to improve consumer access to expert, accurate and timely advice.  This will be done by ensuring people are informed of their consumer rights and that they know where to go if they have any queries regarding consumer issues.

Organisations that can be members of the network are those that provide quality assured consumer advice, such as: Trading Standards, Citizens Advice Bureaux, Age Concern and private legal advisors.  Other organisations who refer or signpost clients for consumer advice can join as 'gateway agencies'.  When these organisations become members of the CSN; they work together to ensure that good quality consumer advice is accessible to the whole community.  You will be able to tell who is a member by looking to see whether they have a CSN logo (like above) displayed.

A CSN is already well established in South Hams and has recently been extended to the rest of Devon.  Achievements that the South Hams CSN has made are shown below:

• Agreement of a referral protocol for the CSN (which includes Consumer Direct South West).
• Inter-agency training in consumer advice.
• Regular meetings (4 per year) where information on scams, social policy, and opportunities for mutual publicity have been shared.
• Improved understanding of the remit of other agencies within the CSN.
• Approaches have been made to other potential gateways agencies, with a representative from the Community Voluntary Service attending a recent meeting.
• Promotion via CSN members of the Devon TS CustomerFirst (assured business scheme) and Consumer Watchdog volunteer scheme.
• Production of leaflet on sources of consumer advice (which includes all members contact details), and distribution of 2000+ 'Think Twice' Booklets, which provides consumer advice and safety/security advice for the elderly.

If you would like further information about the Devon CSN and/or are interested in becoming a member please contact the Devon CSN Co-ordinator via the web form on our Contact Us page.

Further information on CSNs in general is available at http://www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/project/csn/

Advice leaflets on consumer issues are available online from Trading Standards.

For details of these and other organisations holding the Community Legal Services Quality Mark

go to the CLS Directory at http://www.clsdirect.org.uk

For contact details of current CSN members and gateway agencies see related links.

Also on devon.gov.uk

Related links