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 include:
women
men
children
people from a range of social, cultural or ethnic backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities.
Neutralising products may include:
liquids and creams for nozzle application
foaming neutralisers.
Personal precautions may include:
rubber gloves
skin barrier creams.
Client comfort and safety may include:
protection of client’s clothes and skin
provision of clean and dry wraps and towels
protection of client’s face and eyes
position of client’s head and neck at the basin.
Salon procedures must 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.
Conditioning products may include:
recommended products from the manufacturer’s range
products from the salon range, as directed by a supervising hairdresser.
Waste may include:
residual neutralising chemicals
end papers.

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:
consistent application of safe work practices in regard to the neutralising service, and safe use of product, according to manufacturer instructions and product safety data sheets
consistently ensuring client comfort and safety throughout rinsing and neutralising procedures
thoroughly rinsing reformation chemicals from the hair and evenly removing excess moisture prior to the application of neutraliser
evenly applying neutraliser so that hair is not disturbed and the whole area is treated and timing the process according to manufacturer instructions
removing neutralising chemicals and rods in a manner that does not apply undue stretch to newly reformed hair.
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 basin services area which includes as a minimum:
back wash facilities
client shampoo chairs
adjustable water temperature and shampoo spray attachments
neutralising products
a conditioning treatments range
a plentiful supply of clean towels
clean client gowns
documented salon procedures, such as:
methods for gowning clients for rinsing and neutralising
procedures that ensure client comfort and safety at the basin
operator comfort and safety
procedures that comply with state or territory and local government health regulations relevant to providing services at the basin
environmental protection practices, such as:
waste minimisation
resource management
recycling
energy efficiency, e.g. gas or electricity saving practices
water efficiency.
a range of chemical reformation clients with different requirements
product information, instructions and safety data sheets.
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:
positioning clients at the basin for rinsing and neutralising service
protecting client comfort and safety during neutralising process
rinsing chemicals from hair
blotting excess water from hair
applying, processing and removing neutralising products, according to product instructions and salon procedures.
written or verbal questions appropriate to the language and literacy level of the learner to test knowledge such as:
consequences and effects of neutralising products in setting reformed shape of hair
personal precautions
salon waste-minimisation procedures
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:
SIHHOHS201A Apply salon safety procedures.