Elements and Performance Criteria

RANGE STATEMENT
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.
Enrichment strategies may include:
physical:
climbing poles and scratching posts
gnawing manipulada
hide boxes, tunnels and ladders
nest building or bedding material:
shredded paper
straw
substrate or wood shavings
toys (e.g. balls, bells, toys, puzzles and mirrors)
perches, roosting shelves and nest boxes
food or food-related:
giving animals opportunities to forage for food by hiding it in substrates
giving the animal food that requires processing (e.g. peeling or shelling fruit or seeds)
social enrichment:
levels of contact with other animals of the same species or breed
social interactions between the animal and the carer may also be appropriate.
Research may involve:
reviewing:
breeders associations
internet sites
technical papers and texts
discussions with:
hobbyists
private consultants
registered breeders
specialist breeders
wholesalers.
Animals may include:
birds
dogs and cats
small animals (e.g. rabbits, rodents, ferrets and guinea pigs)
reptiles and amphibians.
Animal welfarerequirements may include:
adequate housing, nutrition and stock levels
compliance to appropriate state or territory legislation and regulations
enrichment opportunities
the absence of pests and vermin
the compatibility of species and breeds.
OHSrequirements may include:
following safe work method statements in the conduct of work tasks
hazard identification and risk minimisation procedures for the handling of animals
hazard identification and risk minimisation procedures for the handling, use, storage, transport and disposal of chemicals
manual handling strategies
procedures for the handling and disposal of biological wastes
use of personal protective clothing and equipment relevant to the task:
safety goggles and glasses
protective masks
animal handling gauntlets.
Adverse consequences may include:
destruction of habitat
fighting between animals over access to enrichment items or activities leading to potential for injuries
impact on security of animals, staff and public of enrichment activity
life of enrichment item or activity compared to cost
over-stimulation of animal
refusal of animal to utilise enrichment items
self-mutilation or other signs of stress.

EVIDENCE GUIDE
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
The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy all of the requirements of the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge and the range statement of this unit. Assessors should ensure that candidates can:
develop and implement appropriate enrichment strategies for common species or breeds, including appropriate physical, social and food-related enrichment
comply with animal welfare and OHS requirements and organisational policies and procedures
communicate enrichment strategies to staff, provide training as necessary and supervise implementation
monitor responses to implementation and review strategies in consultation with others
monitor organisation budget allocation and maintain accurate records.

The skills and knowledge required to develop enrichment strategies for companion animalsmust be transferable to a range of work environments and contexts and include the ability to deal with unplanned events.

Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment of this unit is to be practical in nature and will be most appropriately assessed in a companion animal workplace or in a situation that reproduces normal work conditions. Workplaces may include pet shops, boarding kennels and catteries, companion animal training, grooming and/or breeding establishments and mobile animal facilities.

There must be access to a range of companion animal breeds and species and the relevant information, materials and documentation.

Method of assessment
To ensure consistency in one's performance, competency should be demonstrated, to industry defined standards, on more than one occasion over a period of time in order to cover a variety of circumstances, cases and responsibilities, and over a number of assessment activities.

The assessment strategies must include practical skills assessment. Suggested strategies for this unit are:
written and/or oral assessment of candidate's required knowledge
observed, documented and first-hand testimonial evidence of candidate's application of practical tasks
simulation exercises that reproduce normal work conditions
third-party evidence
workplace documentation
portfolio.

This unit may be assessed in a holistic way with other units of competency relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role.

Guidance information for assessment
Assessment methods should reflect workplace demands (e.g. literacy and numeracy demands) and the needs of particular target groups (e.g. people with disabilities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women, people with a language background other than English, youth and people from low socioeconomic backgrounds).