Assessor Resource

RUV3411A
Care for young animals

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


Not applicable.

This unit of competency covers the process of monitoring the general health and wellbeing of young animals. The animals may be either rescued native wildlife or captive animals being naturally or artificially reared.

The unit is aimed at keepers or carers with one to three years experience who are expected to perform tasks under supervision.

In addition to legal and ethical responsibilities, all units of competency in the Animal Care and Management Training Package have the requirement for animals to be handled gently and calmly. The individual is required to develop an empathetic understanding of animals in their care, so that stress and discomfort can be minimised.

The work functions within this unit require the demonstration of relevant theoretical knowledge and the application of a range of well-developed skills. One would be expected to apply known solutions to a variety of predictable problems and to take responsibility for ones own outputs and have limited responsibility for the output of others.

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)

Prerequisites

Not applicable.

Employability Skills

Not applicable.



Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

What are the critical aspects of evidence required for this unit of competency as a whole?

The critical requirements that are valuable for this unit of competency as a whole are listed below.

Assessment must confirm one's ability to:

identify the needs of a range of young animals and provide appropriate environments and care programs

assist in artificially rearing animals

monitor the health and nutrition of young animals to ensure their overall growth and wellbeing

prepare animals for release into a captive or native environment.

What specific knowledge is needed to achieve the performance criteria?

Knowledge and understanding are essential to apply this unit in the workplace, to transfer the skills to other contexts and to deal with unplanned events. The knowledge requirements for this unit of competency are listed below and include:

institutional policies and procedures, including OHS

strategies for maintaining hygiene standards

relevant legislation

working knowledge of anatomy and physiology of the six major animal groups

normal and abnormal animal behaviour

housing requirements for mothers and young, where relevant

concepts of imprinting and socialisation

feeding and husbandry requirements for artificially raised animals

the range of risks to animals being artificially fed

formula types for common species

weaning management

pre-release activities

release strategies.

What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria?

To achieve the performance criteria, some complementary skills are required. These skills include:

ability to implement institutional policies and procedures

ability to provide suitable environments for young animals

ability to handle safely and feed correctly young animals

ability to wean animals and implement pre-release activities

literacy skills to read and implement institutional policies and procedures, including OHS and waste management; follow treatment instructions; record accurately and legibly information collected; and select and apply procedures to a range of defined tasks

oral communication skills / language competence to fulfil the job role as specified by the institution, including questioning techniques, active listening, asking for clarification from supervisors and consulting with supervisors

numeracy skills to complete arithmetic calculations and measure formulae

interpersonal skills to work with and relate to people from a range of cultural, social and religious backgrounds

problem-solving skills to use available resources and prioritise daily tasks.

What are the specific resource implications for this unit of competency?

For valid assessment, one must have opportunities to participate in a range of exercises, case studies and other real and simulated practical and knowledge assessments that demonstrate the skills and knowledge to participate in caring for young animals. One must also have access to the resources listed below that include:

an appropriate captive animal workplace

equipment and / or resources normally used in the workplace

a range of young animals

institutional policies and procedures

controlled environments for raising young animals

dietary requirements, including feeding equipment for young animals

equipment for pre-release strategies

recording system for maintaining animal records.

What considerations should there be for consistency in performance?

To ensure consistency in one's performance, competency should be demonstrated on more than one occasion over a period of time in order to cover a variety of circumstances, cases and responsibilities and, where possible, over a number of assessment activities.

The skills and knowledge required to care for young animals must be transferable to a range of work environments and contexts and include the ability to deal with unplanned events. For example, this could include work within small or large facilities in city, regional or rural areas, traditional or open-range zoos and mobile or theme park environments.

What considerations should there be for context of assessment?

Assessment for this unit of competency is to be largely practical in nature and will be most appropriately assessed in a captive animal workplace.

There must be access in this situation to the appropriate equipment and / or resources to enable one to demonstrate competency.

What processes should be applied to this unit of competency?

There are a number of processes that are learnt throughout work and life which are required in all jobs. They are fundamental processes and generally transferable to other work functions. Some of these are covered by the key competencies, although others may be added. The questions below highlight how these processes are applied in this unit of competency. Following each question a number in brackets indicates the level to which the key competency needs to be demonstrated where 0 = not required, 1 = perform the process, 2 = perform and administer the process and 3 = perform, administer and design the process.

1. How can communication of ideas and information (2) be applied?

Through discussion with supervisors and team members about animal nurturing requirements.

2. How can information be collected, analysed and organised (2)?

By observing the development of young animals and recording information in accordance with institutional requirements.

3. How are activities planned and organised (2)?

By developing and implementing feeding plans for young animals.

4. How can teamwork (2) be applied?

By working with others on agreed tasks.

5. How can the use of mathematical ideas and techniques (2) be applied?

By calculating feeding requirements and preparing formulae for young animals.

6. How can problem-solving skills (2) be applied?

By observing animal behaviour and providing a suitable environment to raise young animals.

7. How can the use of technology (2) be applied?

By using computer technology to record data collected.

Are there other units of competency that could be assessed with this one?

This unit of competency could be assessed on its own or in combination with other competencies relevant to the job function, for example:

RUV3408A Prepare animal diets and monitor feeding

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)

Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Not applicable.

Range of Variables

The Range of Variables explains the range of contexts within which the performance and knowledge requirements of this unit may be assessed. The scope of variables chosen in training and assessment may depend on the work contexts

What is a suitable environment?

Suitable environments may include consideration of appropriate housing for the mother, separation of the young from other animals or mate, simulated natural habitats, screening or privacy from the public, reduced noise or light and the appropriate level of barrier nursing.

What type of OHS issues would be relevant in this context?

Animal care for captive animals has a range of associated risks from bites, envenomation, kicks or scratches. All duties should reflect an awareness of and a respect for these risks.

The handling of chemicals and drugs requires extra care to ensure safe work practices are maintained.

Safe work practices are used in packaging and handling loads, including animals. Appropriate safe handling techniques are used to reduce muscle load on exertion.

Some captive animal facilities may expose personnel to risks such as zoonoses, release of infective agents (both animal and human) and chemical or drug spillage. Procedures to reduce the spread of disease may include incident reporting, cleaning, the removal of waste and spillage, the containment or elimination of risk, the use of personal protective equipment and clothing and seeking advice from supervisors.

What may be included in a care program?

A care program may include nutritional requirements, appropriate environment, teaching animals to catch their own food, providing socialisation opportunities with other animals and providing animals with materials to create their own living environment.

What may be included in a controlled environment?

A controlled environment may include incubators, humidicribs, heat pads, brooders, hospital cages, invertebrate breeding cages and food dictated by breeding and growth patterns.

What are the risks to animals during artificial rearing?

Risks to animals may include imprinting, lack of socialisation, acquisition of aberrant behaviours, aspiration, pneumonia and infection.

What may be included in growth and general condition monitoring?

Monitoring growth and general condition may include monitoring weight, body measurements, temperature and the appearance of the body or coat.

What is involved in weaning?

Weaning may include changing the diet, weaning from human contact and introducing alternative feeding strategies.

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Suitable environment for rearing young animals is prepared and maintained in accordance with occupational health and safety (OHS) requirements. 
Appropriate care program is developed to ensure the health and wellbeing of animals. 
Assistance is provided in operating and maintaining controlled environments in accordance with institutional policies and procedures. 
Risks to animals associated with artificial rearing are identified and minimised. 
Dietary and feeding requirements of young animals are prepared and stored in accordance with institutional policies and procedures. 
Growth and general condition of animals are monitored. 
Weaning procedures are followed for nominated species where appropriate. 
Pre-release activities are conducted under supervision where appropriate. 
Records are kept in accordance with institutional policies and procedures. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

RUV3411A - Care for young animals
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Assessment Record Sheet

RUV3411A - Care for young animals

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: