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

A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to provide evidence of understanding and knowledge of the following:

applicable legislative, organisational and OHS requirements relevant to security of a retail environment including duty of care requirements, and own role, responsibilities and level of authority

applicable organisational policies and procedures and industry codes of practice relevant to security and theft prevention in a range of contexts and situations

general procedures for emergency, evacuation and first aid response

general procedures for monitoring a retail environment

general procedures for reporting identified retail security risks or suspicious customer behaviour to designated personnel including appropriate communication equipment and modes

the range of potential security risks relating to a retail environment.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Context of assessment includes:

a setting in the workplace or environment that simulates the conditions of performance described in the elements, performance criteria and range statement.

Resource implications for assessment include:

access to a suitable venue and equipment

access to plain English version of relevant statutes and procedures

work schedules, organisational policies and duty statements

assessment instruments including personal planner and assessment record book

access to a registered provider of assessment services.

Reasonable adjustments must be made to assessment processes where required for people with disabilities. This could include access to modified equipment and other physical resources, and the provision of appropriate assessment support.

Method of assessment

This unit of competency should be assessed using questioning of underpinning knowledge and skills.

Guidance information for assessment

Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate and suitable to the language, literacy and numeracy capacity of the candidate and the competency being assessed. In all cases where practical assessment is used, it should be combined with targeted questioning to assess the underpinning knowledge.

Oral questioning or written assessment may be used to assess underpinning knowledge. In assessment situations where the candidate is offered a choice between oral questioning and written assessment, questions are to be identical.

Supplementary evidence may be obtained from relevant authenticated correspondence from existing supervisors, team leaders or specialist training staff.

This section describes the skills and knowledge and their level required for this unit.

Required skills

comprehension skills to:

explain the basic security legislative requirements which will be applicable to own work environment and role

explain the range of potential security risks or incidents relevant to a retail environment

explain general procedures for monitoring security in a retail environment

explain the general methods for observing potential security risks or suspicious customer behaviour

explain the chain of command and communication channels

explain security equipment, systems and procedures in accordance with organisational policy

explain organisational detection and apprehension procedures

explain the types of suspect customer behaviour

explain procedures for reporting identified security risks or incidents in a retail environment

communication and interpersonal skills to:

ask effective questions

clarify security procedures

give accurate verbal or written descriptions of security risks or incidents

interpret selected pictorial, graphical and written signs and instructions

relay information to others.

Required knowledge

applicable commonwealth, state or territory legislation relevant to own work environment and role

applicable OHS requirements

communication chain of command

communication modes and security equipment and systems relevant to own work environment

duty of care requirements of self and others

general methods for observing incidents and monitoring risks within a retail environment

general procedures for emergency, evacuation and first aid response

general procedures for reporting identified security risks or suspicious customer behaviour

guidelines for use of force

organisational procedures for responding to security alarms

own responsibilities to comply with safe working practices

potential security risk situations relevant to a retail environment

role of designated personnel for security response

signs or indications that items (eg cargo, goods, packages, baggage) have been left unattended or tampered with

surveillance techniques.

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.

Legislative requirements may relate to:

applicable Crimes Acts and Codes

Australian standards, quality assurance and certification requirements

Aviation and Maritime Transport Acts and Regulations

award and enterprise agreements

consumer law

general 'duty of care' responsibilities

privacy and confidentiality

relevant commonwealth, state and territory legislation which affect organisational operation:

anti-discrimination and diversity

equal employment opportunity

industrial relations

OHS

relevant industry codes of practice

security licensing or certification

Trade Practices and Fair Trading Acts.

Organisational requirements may relate to:

access and equity policy, principles and practice

client service standards

code of conduct

code of ethics

communication channels and reporting procedures

emergency and evacuation procedures

employer and employee rights and responsibilities

security licensing

OHS policies, procedures and programs

organisational goals, objectives, plans, systems and processes

policies and procedures relating to own role, responsibility and delegation

reporting systems, procedures and processes.

Security procedures may relate to:

armed hold-up

cash and credit cards

customers eg bag checking

equipment eg alarms

keys

premises

records

staff

stock

sales representatives, contractors or vendors

surveillance.

Duty of care requirements:

relate to the legal responsibility under "duty of care" to do everything reasonably practicable to protect others from harm

may relate to own responsibilities to comply with safe working practices including activities which require licences or certificates of competency.

Designated personnelmay include:

emergency services (eg police, ambulance, fire brigade, emergency rescue)

first aid officer

OHS representatives

security personnel

supervisor.

Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) requirements may relate to:

controlling and minimising risks

correct manual handling including shifting, lifting and carrying

first aid

identifying and reporting hazards and risks

knowledge of emergency and evacuation procedures

transporting and storing cash, people, property and dangerous goods

using and maintaining equipment

using and maintaining personal protection equipment

using and storing hazardous materials and substances.

Security risksmay include:

spills eg liquid, chemical

injury to persons eg customers, sales representatives, contractors or vendors

persons carrying weapons

persons causing a public nuisance

persons demonstrating suspicious behaviour

persons under the influence of intoxicating substances

persons with criminal intent

terrorism

theft

unattended packages, goods, baggage or cargo

unattended vehicles in areas not designated for parking

vandalism

violence or physical threats.

General procedures for monitoringmay include:

following designated organisational procedures

maintaining vigilance and awareness of security while at work to promptly recognise risks or incidents

observing individual or group behaviour

recording details of observed risk situations.

Security equipmentmay include:

alarms

dye tags

locked and secure areas

mirrors

surveillance equipment eg cameras, CCTV (Closed Circuit Television).

Procedures for reportingsecurity risksmay include:

completing documentation such as logs, journals and activity reports

completing police reports

completing written and computer reports

contacting designated personnel

recording security risk and incident details

requesting security assistance.

Communication channelsmay include:

direct line supervision paths

formal communication pathways

lateral supervision paths

organisational networks.

Communication modesmay include:

alarms

call codes and signs

electronic communication

hand signals

verbal communication

written communication.

Communication equipmentmay include:

megaphone

mobile telephone

public address system

telephone

two-way radio.