Release 1. This is the first release of this unit of competency in the CSC Correctional Services Training Package Release 3.0

This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to assess dogs for custodial purposes.

It includes the skills required to identify the organisational purpose for assessing dogs, recording information about dogs and assessing dogs for recruitment suitability.

This unit applies to those working in a custodial environment as a dog handler. A person undertaking this unit would usually work autonomously using support from mostly familiar resources. The role requires complex task organisation and analytical skills to assess dogs for custodial purposes.

The skills and knowledge described in this unit must be applied within the legislative, regulatory and policy environment in which they are carried out. Organisational policies, procedures and guidelines must be consulted and adhered to.

Statutory/legislative requirements apply to this unit and may vary across states and territories. Users are required to check with the relevant jurisdiction for current requirements.

CSCDOG010 Manage detector dogs

OR

CSCDOG011 Manage dogs for security purposes

Dog handling

Not applicable.

ELEMENTS 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1  

Identify the purpose for assessing dogs 

1.1 

Identify the roles of dogs working within the organisation and the purposes for their use

1.2 

Identify the purpose for which dogs will be assessed and trained

2 

Record information about dogs for assessment 

2.1 

Set up and maintain a file recording the contact details of the source of the dog candidates

2.2 

Record information about available dogs relevant to their recruitment and training

3 

Assess dogs for recruitment 

3.1 

Plan activities for dogs to enable assessment of suitability

3.2 

Observe and assess the dog for the desired characteristics, according to the criteria set by the organisation

3.3 

Record results of dog assessments

3.4 

Use assessment results to determine suitability of dogs for the organisation’s purposes

3.5 

Report assessment results to the appropriate people

4 

Assess dogs for retirement  

4.1 

Assess and recommend the need to retire or dispose of dogs according to unit policy, specialist advice and/or animal health and welfare standards

4.2 

Keep records of decisions to retire or dispose of dogs

Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.

Range is restricted to essential operating conditions and any other variables essential to the work environment.

Non-essential conditions may be found in the Companion Volume Implementation Guide.

This unit replaces but is not equivalent to CSCDOG004 Select dogs.

Release 1. This is the first release of this unit of competency in the CSC Correctional Services Training Package Release 3.0

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria on at least one occasion and include:

• working independently and in teams to assess dogs for their suitability for particular roles within the organisation
• collecting, analysing and organising information about dog performance and characteristics to produce records and reports on the assessment of dogs for the organisation
• providing recommendations and observations to responsible personnel
• maintaining effective relationships with organisations/individuals for sourcing dogs.

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria and includes knowledge of:

• legislation, regulations and organisational policies, procedures and guidelines related to the assessment and use of dogs including:

• purposes for which dogs may be used within the organisation
• records and reports that must be established and maintained about the assessment of dogs for the organisation
• criteria and activities for assessing suitability of dogs
• retirement and disposal of dogs

• typical characteristics and temperaments of various breeds of dogs that are suited to working within the organisation including:

• anatomy and signs of health and ill health of dogs
• work environment in which dogs could be deployed and emergencies that could arise within those environments

• emergency response and evacuation procedures to maintain security
• duty of care to all involved
• limits of own authority
• Workplace/Occupational Health and Safety (WHS/OHS) relevant to the job task
• approved communication terminology, call signs and radio channels used by emergency personnel
• how to apply the hierarchy of control and use of force to control hazards and minimise risk
• location of emergency equipment in the workplace
• procedures for communicating and collaborating with responding officers and other services
• process of dynamic risk assessment and how it is applied.

Assessment of skills must occur in a custodial environment.

Assessors must hold credentials specified within the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment.

Assessment must satisfy the Principles of Assessment and Rules of Evidence and all regulatory requirements included within the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment.

Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language, literacy and numeracy requirements of the work being performed and the needs of the candidate.

Resources for assessment must include access to:

• real dogs
• a range of relevant exercises
• applicable documentation, including workplace procedures, regulations, codes of practice and operation manuals
• relevant materials, tools, equipment and personal protective equipment (PPE) currently used in industry.