Elements and Performance Criteria

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.
Client characteristics may include:
natural hair type, texture, porosity, density and elasticity
natural base colour
artificial base colour
tone
percentage of white hair
presence of lightening agents or artificial hair colour treatments on hair
existing chemical services affecting the hair that may impact on the service
skin tone
length of hair
scalp condition.
Contraindications may include:
condition of hair
existing metallic based colour on hair.
Client may include:
women
men
children
people who present with virgin hair or a range of preexisting colour treatments on the hair
people from a range of social, cultural or ethnic backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities.
Client history must include:
contraindications
pre-service analysis
colour or bleach service product selection
bleach service application techniques and processing times
lightening result including client feedback
recommended home hair care products.
Client and operator comfort and safety must include:
following salon procedures with regard to gowning or wrapping clients for colour services
wearing operator protective gloves when applying bleach and toner products
avoiding product skin and eye contact for client and operator
following product safety data sheets in the event of an accident and seeking medical advice
avoiding inhalation of fumes whilst mixing product
using barrier creams on client’s face and neckline
appropriate gowning of client
wearing operator protective clothing when mixing and applying products
monitoring client scalp comfort and condition at all stages of the service.
Bleach products must include:
products from the salon bleach range
peroxides of varying percentage volumes.
Salon procedures must include:
procedures that comply with state or territory and local government health regulations relevant to the service
occupational health and safety procedures
environmental protection practices, such as:
waste minimisation
waste disposal
water efficiency.
Stages and methods of product application may include:
natural untreated hair
regrowth
roots and then ends
roots, mid lengths and finally ends
ends and then roots.
Product processing must include:
following product instructions
exercising judgement based on previous timing of bleach services on the particular client
monitoring and observing product development.

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.
Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Evidence of the following is essential:
pre-service client consultation that includes accurate hair analysis and establishes client expectations regarding the level and tone of lightening
interpreting and applying colour charts, product information, instructions and safety data sheets
observing safety precautions to ensure client and operator safety
following selected stages and methods of product application
achieving the desired degree of lift, with even colour results and minimum hair damage for both virgin head and regrowth bleach services.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure access to:
a salon or a simulated salon environment that includes a range of work situations such as client interruptions and involvement in other related activities normally expected in the salon
a fully equipped workstation which includes as minimum:
an adjustable client chair client
clean client gown or wrap
a plentiful supply of clean towels
trolley stocked with:
rubber gloves
liquid measure
plastic bowls
tint brushes
barrier creams
a professional range of bleach products and toners
product colour charts, information and product safety data sheets
a range of clients with virgin head and retouch bleach application requirements.
For further guidance on the use of an appropriate simulated environment, refer to the Assessment Guidelines in this Training Package.
Method of assessment
A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:
observation of the learner performing a range of tasks in an actual or simulated work environment, over sufficient time to demonstrate their handling of a range of contingencies. Tasks include:
analysis of client characteristics prior to virgin head and retouch bleach services
following selected stages and methods of product application
following salon procedures to ensure the comfort and safety of clients during bleach applications and processing
completing bleach applications within salon timeframes
managing processing to achieve the desired degree of lift
confirming client satisfaction with lightening results
advising on home hair care and recommending products
written or verbal questions appropriate to the language and literacy level of the learner to test knowledge which include:
the effects of hydrogen peroxide on the hair and hair colour
the chemical and physical effects of bleach products on hair structure
the colour wheel and its application in toner selection
the levels of bleaching
processing and development times for a defined salon bleach product range
salon procedures relating to:
client comfort and safety
operator safety
health and hygiene
waste minimisation
waste disposal
water efficiency
review of portfolios of evidence and third-party reports of on-the-job performance.
Guidance information for assessment
A unit of competency describes an individual skill but people rarely perform one skill at a time. Many skills are combined on a day-to-day basis in the workplace as part of work processes. This does not mean that each skill described by a unit of competency is prerequisite to another—they are related skills.
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, salon and job role is recommended, for example:
SIHHCCS302A Perform a full client consultation
SIHHOHS201A Apply salon safety procedures