From dog fouling to fly tipping: it’s all in a day’s work for Environmental Health

EHPs use their skills to change behaviour, encouraging, educating and enforcing as a last resort.  It’s a job that you probably know more about than you think.

Ever reported fly-tipping? Or seen someone visiting an address known for not clearing their waste? Maybe you’ve seen someone be spoken to about burning of waste. All of that is part of an EHPs role within the Environmental Enforcement Team.

For Anthony Horan, it was a chance encounter that sent him on the path to becoming part of the team at North East Lincolnshire Council and now he’s loving every minute of it.

Anthony originally trained as a chef, but when an Environmental Health Practitioner walked into his kitchen, he was immediately interested. He said: “The way they commanded respect, even from the head chef, left a serious impression on me. I thought, "I want that job."

“From there, I started researching the profession, retrained, and worked my way in. Seeing the impact Environmental Health Practitioners (EHP’s) have in protecting public health really drove me to make the switch.”

He added: “It was hard to make the switch though as I left school with very few GCSEs, so I had to go back to night school where I studied the necessary sciences to gain a place at Leeds University. While at Uni I found that I had Dyslexia as well, so my journey into academia wasn’t easy, but with perseverance I made it.”

However, Anthony’s route isn’t the only way into the profession: “There are apprenticeship pathways that let you earn your degree while gaining hands-on experience out in the field—which, personally, I think is a great way to learn. On top of the qualifications, an Environmental Health Practitioner Degree that's accredited by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) and a professional portfolio before registering with the Environmental Health Registration Board (EHRB), you need strong communication skills, a solid grasp of legal frameworks, a surprisingly good sense of smell believe it or not!”

“Coupled with a sharp instinct for handling difficult situations—something I’ve definitely fine-tuned over the years. Of course, you also need a thick skin because not everyone’s thrilled when you show up with a clipboard.”

However, it doesn’t matter what you learn in the classroom because, in Anthony’s words, no two days are the same. “That’s what keeps it interesting. I could be inspecting residential properties for health hazards in their gardens in the morning, working with waste management teams by midday, and giving evidence in court by the afternoon.”

“Some days I’m out in the community—educating residents and businesses on regulations and the correct way to comply with their legal duties—and other days I’m diving into paperwork and enforcement notices back at the office. It’s a mix of fieldwork, detective work, and diplomacy.”

“I love the job though, mainly because I know the work I do directly improves public health and the environment. Whether it’s a ‘bread and butter job’ of dealing with a property with heaps of dog faeces or mountains of rubbish, I see the results of my work. Plus, meeting people from all walks of life keeps me grounded.”

Whilst he loves the work he does, it isn’t always as easy as it may seem. “Some cases involve vulnerable individuals living in distressing conditions, and it’s not always easy to balance our involvement with empathy. Getting people the support they need is also a big part of our job.”

One thing people may not expect Environmental Health Practitioners to deal with though is helping with burials . ”While many assume my role is limited to routine inspections,—gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, and preparing legal reports that are robust enough to stand up in court. It can also involve far more complex and sensitive duties.”

Being in Environmental Enforcement is no easy task, but it’s one that is important for ensuring our communities are safe and healthy for those living in it.

For more information on roles visit  What do EHPs do? - CIEH

For job opportunities at North East Lincolnshire Council, please visit https://www.nelincs.gov.uk/jobs-training-and-volunteering/