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 in the performance criteria is detailed below.

The range statement provides details of how this competency can be used in the workplaces of the racing industry to manage steward services. Workplaces include greyhound, harness and thoroughbred racecourses, training tracks and administration buildings.

Stewards oversee the conduct of all racing-related activities within the responsibilities and powers described under the rules of racing. The conditions under which this unit is delivered and assessed must take into consideration these powers and responsibilities. These powers and responsibilities are further described in the rules of racing for the relevant racing code. It is strongly recommended that training facilitators and learners refer to these powers and responsibilities as part of the range of conditions for all units covered in the steward specialist area of the Training Package.
Rules of racing and legislation may include:
anti-discrimination and harassment
animal welfare
Australian and local rules of racing
equal employment opportunity
OHS
superannuation awards
taxation law
union coverage and work agreements
workers' compensation.
Areas the rules of racing cover include:
animal welfare
constitutional
interpretation
licensing and registration
local rules
offences
penalties
race meetings
stewards
syndicates.
Dimensions of ethical behaviour include:
administrative structures
codes of conduct
corporate strategies
systems, policies and procedures.
Race meeting operations roles include:
barrier attendants
catching pen supervisors
clerks of the course
club secretaries
farriers
greyhound attendants
kennel supervisors
lure drivers
mobile drivers
race club kennel attendants
racecourse detectives
scribe or shorthand writers
starters
stewards
veterinarians.
Race meeting operations duties will include:
allocating stewards to observation positions around the track
arranging for swabs to be sent to laboratory for analysis
carrying out or supervising pre-race identification
calling greyhounds or horses to the parade or marshalling area
calling greyhounds to stir-up area and to starting boxes
calling horses to the starting stalls
calling jockeys to mount up
checking the starting position of each race
checking track conditions
checking updated eligibility list against current suspension list
hearing post-race protests
inspecting bandages and other tack
liaising with racing officials
liaising with trainers, jockeys and drivers if there are problems with engaged drivers or riders
participating in or adjudicating post-meeting inquiries or appeals
selecting animals for pre-race swabbing and supervising the procedure
sending field to the start.
Licensed or registered personnel will include:
greyhound attendants
harness drivers
kennelhands
jockeys and trackwork riders
owners
stablehands
strappers
race day staff
trainers.
Animal welfare legislation includes:
national and state codes of practice; federal, state and territory legislation; and local government regulations covering animal welfare, and requires:
animals to be exercised in a manner deemed proper and appropriate to the fitness of the animal
animals not to display any obvious signs of ill health
animals to be maintained appropriately for the conditions, including:
housing
rugging
feed and water containers to be clean and free of sharp edges
safe and industry-recognised gear and saddlery to be used on animals
boxes, kennels, runs and yards to be free of hazards and clean bedding evident.
Staff welfare and safety will include:
adhering to legislation governing:
bullying
discrimination
harassment, including sexual harassment
health and safety
working with children
taxation law
workers' compensation
all gear used on animals is approved and of good quality
effective supervision at all times
ensuring drivers or jockeys are in a fit state to compete
equipment or vehicles to be used are well maintained and in proper working order
kennel or stable emergency and evacuation procedures are clearly signed
maintenance of safety equipment, including:
first aid equipment
fire safety equipment
personal protective equipment
protective gear conforms to required standards
staff are adequately trained in tasks carried out
track is in a fit and proper state for safe and competitive racing.
Reviewing inquiry conclusions and penalties awarded may ensure:
continuous improvement
consistency with other codes' decisions and appeals outcomes
improved inquiry approaches for stewards, for example:
behaviour
communication techniques
counselling manner
maintenance of integrity.
People concerned in the appeal decision may include:
other stewards within the code not directly involved in the appeal
stewards from other codes.
Policy and protocol reviews may cover:
drug strategies reports
kennel and stable security
national gear register
race day operations
risk management
rules of racing
racing animal welfare integrity reviews
sample analytical reports
staff welfare and safety.

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.
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 and include evidence of the following:
knowledge of the requirements, procedures and instructions that are to apply when managing steward services
demonstration of ability to manage race day and non-race day steward services, including investigations and inquiries, by applying the relevant rules of racing and related protocols using appropriate communication techniques that reflect compliance with equity principles
implementation of procedures and timely techniques for the safe, effective and efficient application of steward services management
working with others to undertake and complete the required procedures that meet required outcomes.
Evidence should be collected over a period of time in a range of administrative, race meeting and trial contexts, and include dealings with an appropriate range of situations.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Competency must be assessed in a racing workplace that provides access to the required resources. Assessment is to occur under standard and authorised work practices, safety requirements and environmental constraints. It is to comply with relevant regulatory requirements or Australian Standards requirements.
Assessment of the practical components of this unit will be by observation of relevant skills.
The following resources must be available:
materials and equipment relevant to assessing candidate's ability to manage steward services
racing administration offices, racetracks, race trials and meetings, and related facilities
work instructions and related documentation.
Method of assessment
Assessment methods must satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the Racing Training Package.
The suggested strategies for the assessment of this unit are:
written and/or oral assessment of candidate's required knowledge
observed, documented and firsthand testimonial evidence of candidate's application of practical tasks including:
observation of chairing at least three race meetings and conducting at least three inquiries
presenting completed reports for these race meetings, plus reports for three inquiries (and any related appeals) in which candidate has actively participated while maintaining case studies of common race incidents.
Evidence is required to be demonstrated over a period of time, therefore where performance is not directly observed any evidence should be authenticated by supervisors or other appropriate persons, at least one of whom should be approved by the State Principal Racing Authority.
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).