When the trainer/assessor has observed a student completing an assessment, this must be recorded in the swop book. Under the unit completed, you will write the date of the assessment at the top. Each unit will have different requirements for a minimum of observation required to be completed, you can find this written in red at the top. For example unit SHBHCUT002 has 3 observations to complete.

There are different performance criteria ranges for every unit that are completed during the assessment. Some of the criteria should be observed and marked off on every assessment and the performance evidence (techniques used/ hair length/ hairstyle) will only be marked off what was completed during the assessment. For example unit SHBHCUT002 has requirements of above shoulder length and below

shoulder length, you should only mark one of each per assessment but they both must be covered before signing off the whole unit.

Some units are a pre- requisite and require other units to be completed first. For example unit SHBHCUT002/SHBHCUT003/SHBHCUT004/SHBHCUT005 must be completed before SHBHCUT007.

When an observation has been completed for a unit the assessor & student must initial below as required. After all observations have been completed the assessor & student must sign and date the swop book. This date must be the same date as the last observation.

You can cluster units in the swop book if this is covered in the assessment. This means if a student has covered layering, freehand clipper, men’s grooming, tracks & taking payment in the assessment then you can cluster those units together as 1 assessment.

For Example SHBHCUT004, SHBHCUT009, SHBHCUT013, SHBHCUT010, SHBXCCS001 & SHBXCCS002.

When a unit has been signed & completed, please update the overview of practical observations with date of completion, Trainer name & signature.

Video link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1d8b4qzF3uCheM7LCCAwaWZ3EORUw5xky/view

SWOP video: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RFxIsL7j8tcKxWgubL3mjDkr2_rUhjtZ/view

1. Practical Assessments - Most units will have a practical assessment that needs to be completed. With each of these tasks the trainer needs to complete an observation form that indicates if the student has completed the task in the appropriate way. These practical tasks are based on the unit of competency, particularly the Performance Evidence.

a. The assessment must be completed the required number of times e.g. 3 times to a competent standard. This competence can be achieved with the assistance of some questioning from the trainer and the student should be allowed 3 attempts to complete the assessment appropriately. Once the final observation in the SWOP book is completed, the observation form and any associated paperwork needs to be uploaded. (The SWOP will document the minimum number of practical assessments for a specific unit) Completing an assessment means the student has completed with service without any assistance.

b. Practical assessments can take a variety of forms including;

i. Work based tasks

ii. Observations

iii. Group tasks

iv. Videos/photos and presentations

v. As a trainer and assess, you can make a judgement of the student capabilities of the unit and how their practical standards are to not disadvantage.

If a student completes a practical assessment before meeting the minimum required number, and the trainer/assessor determines the student is competent, a professional judgement may be applied. In these cases, the trainer/assessor must clearly document the rationale in the student’s SWOP book, explaining why additional assessments are not required.

Example:
SHBHCLS003 – Student A has completed 3 assessments where 6 are required. The Trainer/Assessor (or salon supervisor for apprentices) confirms the student is competent and that completing the remaining assessments would not provide additional benefit (e.g. limited client availability). This decision must be documented in the SWOP book.

In some instances, students may be unable to complete all required assessments due to limited client demand for specific services (e.g. a flat top haircut). In such cases, the trainer may apply professional judgement by having the student complete the service on a head block and assess competency through targeted questioning to confirm knowledge and understanding.

It is not always possible to see every single practical assessment for apprentices. Trainer and Assessor must see the last practical. IF the SWOP book has been completed during your next training visit BEFORE co-signing off, you must speak with the supervisor in the salon/shop to confirm that they are happy to sign off that practical unit and the apprentice MUST provide evidence such as before and after photos.

Supervisors are NOT allowed to make assessment judgments, this is the RTO trainer and assessor role.

What is ASQA's stance on employers / supervisors completing observation of practical demonstration as a component of the assessment process for a unit of competency?

In certain circumstances it is reasonable to use another party for evidence-gathering where workplace evidence is required but it is not possible for the assessor to directly observe the student at work. For example, in cases where:

• the presence of an assessor may compromise workplace safety, or

• where work activities involve issues of patient confidentiality and privacy.

In such circumstances, the other party is not making any assessment judgements, nor are they involved in a ‘co-assessment’ arrangement. They are simply assisting in collecting evidence because they are in a position to directly observe the student in a real workplace setting.

The assessment judgement about whether competency has been achieved based on all of the collected evidence can only be made by a suitably qualified assessor who meets the Credential Policy requirements.

What methods should providers use to ensure students are directly observed by the assessor—on at least one occasion— while maintaining assessment integrity across different learning environments (including face-to-face, online, rural, and remote settings)? What happens if there are additional privacy policies of many schools and early childhood centres?

Providers need to determine the best method for assessment in accordance with the assessment requirements outlined in each training product and any applicable laws or considerations such as privacy requirements and the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations.

Remember, we are using the SWOP book to sign off the practical component of the qualification, this means they are completing practical to shop/salon/trainer standards and unassisted.

Apprentices MUST have the signature of the shop/salon supervisor to sign off any practical modules.

SWOP books must not be completed by students. Only trainers and salon supervisors are authorised to complete the practical SWOP book.

A SWOP entry is completed only when a student performs the service unassisted to shop standards. The trainer is responsible for completing the SWOP entry, with both the trainer and student initialling the book.

The final assessment must be signed off by both the trainer and the student. Once completed, the student is required to upload the signed assessment to their learner portal under Practical Observation.

Please note that SWOPs must not be backdated or pre-dated. All SWOPs are to be kept up to date at all times and uploaded on the same day the final assessment is completed.