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.
Purpose of interview may include:
to ascertain facts surrounding an incident and gather evidence
to determine the appropriate action required to ensure public safety
to ensure compliance with legislative requirements.
Equipment and personnel that may be used to conduct an interview may include:
equipment:
computers
computer notebooks
recording medium (e.g. audiotapes and videotapes)
personnel:
interpreters
police officers to gain entry and serve warrants
corroborating officers
guardians and parents if minors are involved.
Interviewees may include:
complainants
informants
suspects
witnesses.
Admissible evidence may include:
direct evidence:
evidence and statements from those present at the time who may have heard, seen, smelt, tasted or felt something in relation to the incident and may include things that were in place at the time (e.g. gates and fences)
circumstantial evidence:
what was thought to have existed at the time but may no longer be there and cannot be backed up by direct evidence.
Coordinating witnesses may include:
issuing witness summonses and maintaining contact with witnesses to ensure their cooperation, communication and attendance at court/tribunal.
Information for brief of evidence may include:
admissible evidence and other evidence
precedents
records of interview
relevant sections of legislation
witness statements.

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 competence 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:
conduct and record interviews and statements from interviewees, including witnesses, suspects, informants or complainants
communicate effectively with interviewees using active listening and questioning techniques
gather information on the case and identify admissible evidence
prepare an evidence brief
present evidence at proceedings
follow the rules of evidence and protocols relevant to the case
maintain accurate records in accordance with organisational policies and procedures.

The skills and knowledge required to prepare and present animal control and regulation cases must 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 an animal control and regulation workplace or in a situation that reproduces normal work conditions.

There must be access to a relevant animal control and regulation case that requires preparation (e.g. taking statements and gathering evidence) and presentation (e.g. to a court or tribunal) and the appropriate equipment and/or resources to enable one to demonstrate competence.

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 strategy 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
case studies
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).