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.
Technical solutions must include:
working with different peroxide levels
stripping
bleaching
prepigmenting hair
neutralising unwanted tones
a range of application techniques.
Existing hair colour may include:
natural base
artificial base or bases
bleach base.
Hair condition must include:
dry, oily or normal
porosity
texture.
Client may include:
men, women and children
people who present with virgin hair or a range of preexisting colour treatments on the hair
people from a range of social, cultural or ethnic backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities.
Client history must include:
client reaction to skin tests
contraindications
colour outcomes
recommended after care products.
if existing client, also:
previous pre-service analysis
previous service brand and colour selection
previous service application techniques and processing times.
Corrective colour treatment plan may include:
multiple treatments
removing unwanted colour deposits
identifying raw pigment undertone before adding prepigments
prepigmenting hair from light to dark to develop a desired undertone
selecting warm and cool colours
products to equalise porosity
selecting and applying tint products
refresher colours
between service colour care shampoo and conditioning products.
Client and operator comfort and safety must include:
following workplace procedures
following product safety instructions and safety data sheets regarding the preparation and application of corrective colour products
following product safety data in the event of an accident and seeking medical advice
appropriate gowning of client
application of anti skin stain product
application of colour stain removal product
wearing operator protective clothing and equipment when mixing and applying products
monitoring client scalp comfort and condition at all stages of the service.
Salon procedures must include:
gowning clients for colour and lightening services
rules relating to the application of heat acceleration during processing
compliance with state or territory and local government health regulations relevant to the service
occupational health and safety procedures
environmental protection practices, such as:
waste minimisation
waste disposal
water efficiency.
Colour deposit lifting products must include:
stripping products
bleaches
powder lighteners
hydrogen peroxides.
Colour products must include:
prepigmenting products
tints
peroxides of varying percentage volumes.
Stages and methods of product application may include:
applying products to equalise porosity
prepigmenting hair from light to dark to develop a desired undertone
selecting and applying tint products to:
roots and then ends
roots, mid lengths and finally ends
ends and then roots.
Between service colour care may include:
shampoos
conditioners
sun-protection strategies.

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:
strategies for developing and sharing advanced product knowledge with other staff
applying specialist product knowledge and techniques to assist other staff solve complex colour problems
providing sound information and advice to clients, based on the consideration of time, cost and risk factors associated with possible corrective services
planning and managing corrective colour services
performing a range of colour deposit lifting techniques whilst maintaining the integrity of the hair structure
recolouring hair to achieve target shade and tone to client satisfaction.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure that competency is:
consistently demonstrated over a period of time and observed by the assessor or the technical expert working in partnership with the assessor as described in the Assessment Guidelines
demonstrated in the salon or a simulated salon environment in a range of real work situations which may include client interruptions and involvement in other related activities normally expected in the salon.
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 workstation which includes as minimum:
an adjustable client chair
clean client gown or wrap
a plentiful supply of clean towels
a trolley stocked with:
rubber gloves
stain prevention products
plastic bowls
sponges
tint brushes
applicator bottles
cap or plastic film wrap
a professional range of colour deposit lifting products, including:
stripping products
bleaches
powder lighteners
hydrogen peroxides
product colour charts, information and safety data sheets
salon procedures relating to:
client comfort and safety
operator safety
health and hygiene
waste minimisation
waste disposal
water efficiency
a range of clients with different colour correction requirements.
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:
observation of the learner performing a range of tasks in an actual or simulated work environment, over sufficient time to demonstrate his or her handling of a range of contingencies. Tasks include:
communicating and demonstrating colour correction techniques to other staff
planning and implementing technical solutions to complex colour problems
confirming client satisfaction with colour results
advising on between service colour care and recommending products
written or verbal questions appropriate to the language and literacy level of the learner to test knowledge, such as:
action of peroxide with bleaches and powder lighteners in colour deposit removal
relationship between porosity, texture, condition and the success of corrective colour services
levels of peroxide and their applications in colour correction
chemical and physical effects of pre-pigmenting products
colour wheel and its application in colour selection to achieve warm and cool tones
the salon colour and lightening products range and colour chart system
correct and environmentally sound disposal methods for all types of product waste and in particular for hazardous substances
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:
SIHHCLS407A Apply creative colouring and lightening techniques to enhance hair designs