Elements and Performance Criteria

Client characteristics may include:
natural hair type, texture, porosity, density and elasticity
natural and/or artificial base colour
hair colour tone
percentage of white hair
presence of lightening agents or artificial hair colour treatments on hair
other existing chemical services, including metallic based products
skin tone.

Client history must include:
contraindications
previous pre-service analysis
previous services' brand and colour/s selection
previous services' application techniques and processing times
recommended after care products.

Clients may include:
women
men
children
people who present with virgin hair or a range of pre-existing colour treatments on the hair
people from a range of social, cultural or ethnic backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities.

Contraindications may include:
an allergic reaction to a skin test
excessive hair damage
existing metallic-based colour on hair.

Unwanted colour and tones may include:
natural hair colour and tones
artificial hair colour and tones.

Colour correction products must include:
porosity equalisers
temporary colour
semi-permanent colour
permanent colour
colour fillers
a range of manufacturers' products for the removal of artificial colour.

Client and operator comfort and safety must include:
application of gown and towels to protect client clothes
application of barrier creams to face or neckline areas
application of anti skin stain product
application of colour stain removal product
avoiding contact with client or operator's eyes
avoiding inhalation of fumes whilst mixing product
wearing operator protective gloves during product application.

Relevant legislation may include:
federal, state and local health and hygiene legislation and regulations
occupational health and safety legislation and regulations.

Workplace policies and procedures may include:
client comfort and safety
operator safety
health and hygiene.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
knowledge and consistent application of workplace policies, procedures and safe work practices in relation to colour services
consistently applying effective questioning and active listening techniques to consult and negotiate with clients and to ensure client comfort and safety throughout the service
recognising and managing contraindications
reading, accurately interpreting and consistently applying manufacturer's colour charts and product instructions
consistently safe selection, preparation, application, processing and removal of colour products according to manufacturer's instructions and workplace procedures
consistently applying client and operator safety precautions.

Context of assessment
For valid and reliable assessment of this unit, competency should be consistently demonstrated over a period of time and observed by the assessor and/or the technical expert working in partnership with the assessor. The technical expert may include the hairdresser and/or an experienced person at the workplace.
Competency should be demonstrated in the workplace or a simulated workplace environment in a range of situations which may include client interruptions and involvement in other related activities normally expected in the workplace. For further guidance on the use of an appropriate simulated environment, refer to the Assessment Guidelines in this Training Package.

Specific resources for assessment
Competency for this unit should be assessed through access to:
relevant documentation including occupational health and safety legislation and regulations, workplace policy and procedures manuals and manufacturer's product safety data sheets
a salon or simulated salon environment
a workplace colouring range along with manufacturer's colour charts and product instructions
clients with a variety of colour correction requirements.

Relationship to other units
This unit requires an assessment outcome that includes evidence of client consultation, knowledge of the chemical and physical effects of hair colour and lightening colour products on the hair and their safe application. In a workplace environment colour correction is usually integrated with general colour or lightening services.
WRHCS201A Prepare clients for salon services
WRHCS205A Follow personal health and safety routines at work
WRRLP1B Apply safe working practices.
WRHCL302A Colour and lighten hair
WRHCL303A Design and perform full and partial highlighting techniques
WRHHS301A Apply the principles of hairdressing science
WRHWP302A Operate effectively as a hairdresser in a salon work team.

Method of assessment
The following assessment methods are suggested.
Observation of the learner performing a range of tasks in an actual or simulated work environment, over sufficient time to demonstrate his/her handling of a range of contingencies. Tasks may include:
the completion of workplace documentation relevant to analysis of client characteristics prior to colour correction services
demonstrated client consultation and corrective colour selection prior to service
demonstrated safe application and processing of corrective colour products and techniques on a variety of clients with different needs.
Third-party reports from experienced hairdressers.

Evidence required for demonstration of consistent performance
For valid and reliable assessment of this unit, evidence should be gathered through a range of methods to indicate consistent performance.
It can be gathered from assessment of the unit of competency alone, through an integrated assessment activity or through a combination of both.
Evidence should be gathered as part of the learning process.

Communicating ideas and information
Establishing client expectations and negotiating a planned colour result in pre-service client consultation involve the communication of ideas and information. (3)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Accessing client history, consulting with clients and using manufacturer's colour charts in the selection of a suggested colour and tone result involve collecting, analysing and organising information. (3)

Planning and organising activities
Selecting colour correction application sequences and methods requires activities to be planned and organised. (3)

Working with others and in teams
Solving colour problems may involve referral to other operators for advice. (2)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Measuring quantities of tint product and selecting and measuring peroxide involve the application of mathematical ideas and techniques. (2)

Solving problems
Neutralising an unwanted colour and tone involves the application of problem solving skills. (2)

Using technology
Using heat acceleration as part of colour correction processing involves the application of technology. (2)