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.
Haircut plan must include:
straight and curved, soft and hard interior and exterior design lines
starting points, sectioning and parting patterns
degrees of lift for each section where lifted graduation is planned
distribution of hair for each section where graduation is planned
illustrated stationary or mobile guide lines for graduated sections of haircut
a structural graphic (profile) for the haircut plan illustrated by drawing lines at 90 degrees to the curve of the head
a simple line drawing representing the finished haircut design.
Appropriate tools may include:
combs
haircutting scissors
texturising scissors
razors
chisels
clippers.
Graduation techniques may include:
blunt cutting
notching
razor bevelling or arching
pressure graduation.
Client may include:
women
men
children
people from a range of social, cultural or ethnic backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities.
Finishing toolsand equipment may include:
blow dryer
Denman style brushes
vent style brushes
round brushes
thermal irons.
Finishing techniques may include:
blow drying with brushes
setting and comb up
thermal setting and straightening.
Salon procedures must include:
procedures that comply with state or territory and local government health regulations relevant to the service
occupational health and safety
environmental protection practices, such as waste disposal.

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:
selecting tools and graduation techniques appropriate to the planned graduated finish
applying the cutting hand, and holding the cutting tools, to create graduated designs
parting the hair with clean sections and partings throughout the haircut
applying hands and haircutting tools parallel and nonparallel to base partings to achieve planned graduation
positioning the head and neck and making any necessary adjustments during service to achieve the appropriate degree of graduation
maintaining the hair evenly wet or dry and applying even tension
achieving planned degree or degrees of graduation
applying finishing techniques for graduated haircuts.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
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
an adjustable client chair
clean client gown or wrap
haircutting tools and equipment
a range of clients for haircuts with graduated structures
finishing tools and equipment
relevant documentation including:
cutting plans
salon procedures.
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 their handling of a range of contingencies. Tasks include:
developing plans for graduated haircut structures
applying graduated haircut techniques
applying finishing techniques to graduated haircuts
written or verbal questions appropriate to the language and literacy level of the learner to test knowledge which include:
elements and principles of design
geometric principles related to angles and shapes
review of portfolios of evidence and third-party reports of on-the-job performance by the learner.
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:
SIHHIND201A Maintain and organise tools equipment and work areas
SIHHOHS201A Apply salon safety procedures