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.
Clients may be:
women
men
children
people from a range of social, cultural or ethnic backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities.
Normal hair and scalp conditions may include:
normal
oily
dry
physically damaged
chemically damaged.
Treatment actions may include:
hair conditioning treatments from the salon range
scalp conditioning treatments from the salon range.
Abnormal hair and scalp conditions may include:
head lice
scabies
ringworm
dry or oily dandruff
seborrhoea
psoriasis.
Remedial action may include:
salon treatments
home treatments
referral to a pharmacist
referral to a medical practitioner
referral to a trichologist.
Relevant health regulations may include:
federal, state and local health and hygiene
occupational health and safety.
Contagious disorders of the hair and scalp may include:
head lice
scabies
ringworm.
Remedial treatments may include:
medicated treatments from the salon range.
Salon procedures may include:
client comfort and safety
operator safety
procedures that comply with state or territory and local government health regulations relevant to the service
environmental protection practices, such as:
waste minimisation
waste disposal
water efficiency.
Symptoms of allergic reaction may include:
redness
itching
swelling.
Appropriate actions may include:
proceeding with planned colour service
not proceeding with planned colour service.

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:
knowledge of the transmission routes of infectious conditions and skill in the application of standard infection-control precautions
recognising the appearance of normal and abnormal scalp conditions
consulting with clients and recommending hair and scalp treatments suitable to identified conditions
applying and evaluating skin tests prior to providing hair colouring 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
fully equipped workstation which includes as minimum:
an adjustable client chair
clean client gown or wrap
a plentiful supply of clean towels
a fully equipped basin services area which includes as a minimum:
back wash facilities
client shampoo chairs
adjustable water temperature and shampoo spray attachments
a plentiful supply of clean towels
clean client gown
relevant documentation, such as:
relevant health regulations
workplace policy and procedures manuals
photographs of common disorders
a range of clients with different hair and scalp conditions
a professional hair and scalp treatments products range.
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:
direct observation of the learner:
conducting preservice hair and scalp analysis
selecting and applying hair and scalp treatments
written or verbal questions appropriate to the language and literacy level of the learner to test knowledge which may include:
the transmission routes of infectious conditions
standard infection-control precautions
signs and symptoms of common normal and abnormal hair and scalp conditions
physical effects on the hair and scalp of salon treatments
applications and efficacy of hair and scalp treatments in the workplace treatments and services range
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 pre-requisite to another—they are related skills.
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, salon and job role is recommended for example:
SIHHHSC301A Apply the principles of hairdressing science.