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).

Required skills

allocating duties to staff based on a range of operational requirements, staff experience, level of responsibility and complexity of job task

assessing industry requirements associated with steward services, including safety, security, licensing, and staff and animal welfare

adhering to safe handling and work practices when working around greyhounds or horses

communicating with racing administration executives and staff, other stewards, racing officials, licensed and registered personnel and others using assertive communication techniques to gather, interpret and relay information related to steward duties

completing duties in accordance with safe operating procedures and nominated time frame

complying with organisational policies and procedures

computer skills, including:

data entry and retrieval

email and internet

spreadsheets

word processing

conducting steward inquiries and gaining satisfactory conclusions

critically analysing decisions made at inquiries, appeals, protests and review for relevance

enforcing the rules of racing

hearing and adjudicating race protests

identifying different items of industry-approved greyhound and horse race gear and assessing their condition in terms of safe use and need for repair

identifying individual animals by industry signalment and documents

identifying signs of ill health, injury or pain in racing animals

leadership skills to successfully manage and coordinate staff, including ability to delegate as and when required

managing race day incidents and emergencies

managing OHS and environmental work procedures

managing staff

preparing and presenting evidence for appeals

providing clear and concise reports on race performance in verbal and written formats

reading and controlling races

reading and interpreting workplace documentation, including rules of racing

relating to people from a range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and with varying physical and mental abilities

taking a proactive stance in all matters pertaining to racing, and implementing changes to advance racing where necessary

using initiative, discretion and judgements to solve racing issues and problems

using video and DVD recording and re-play devices and other equipment and technology for racing operations duties

working within the boundaries set by regulatory bodies, other regulations and the racing industry

working with team members to achieve results

written communication skills to complete workplace documentation and reports.

Required knowledge

avenues and procedures for personnel to access counselling

communication procedures for communicating with racing administration executives and staff, other stewards, officials, licensed or registered personnel and others, including reporting lines within the workplace and wider racing industry

detailed understanding of applicable federal, state or territory legislation and regulations, and national standards and codes of practice, including:

animal welfare

anti-discrimination and harassment

environmental and waste management

equal employment opportunity

industrial relations

OHS

ethical conduct standards of relevant racing principal authority

greyhound or racehorse identification features

industry terminology related to steward duties, racing operations and wider racing industry

organisational policies and procedures and management practices

principles of administrative law and sound knowledge of legal proceedings

principles of effective communication

procedures for hearing protests, conducting inquiries and gathering evidence

procedures for operation and maintenance of required equipment and technology

purpose of gear and reasons for identifying and reporting problems with condition, fit and safety

reasons racing animals may not perform as expected

relevant rules of racing

reporting requirements for irregularities and problems

symptoms of and ways of checking for common signs of injury, ill health or distress in racing animals.

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.