This unit of competency supports the stipendiary steward in preparing for and representing stewards at appeal hearings.

Competencies attained in this unit apply to the greyhound, harness or thoroughbred code of the industry. Consequently when performance criteria are applied they will relate to the greyhound code or the harness code or the thoroughbred code, and statements of attainment for this unit will reflect this distinction.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Organise documents and evidence.

1. Appeals process is researched and applied.

2. Other appeals are observed to improve understanding of appeals process.

3. Reports and transcripts from inquiries are prepared.

4. Evidence is prepared for appeals.

5. Additional information, witnesses and evidence are prepared for appeal.

Effective communication skills are used when preparing for appeals.

6. Information is presented in a succinct and logical manner.

7. Effective listening and speaking skills are employed when presenting appeal information.

8. Interaction with appeal lawyers is managed using assertiveness skills .

Required skills

communicating with appeal panel members, other stewards, racing officials, licensed and registered personnel and others using assertiveness and communication techniques to gather, interpret and relay information related to preparing for racing industry appeals

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

complying with organisational policies and procedures and the rules of racing

gathering relevant evidence to racing incidents covered by the rules of racing

preparing and presenting evidence for appeals in a succinct and logical manner

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

researching documents

teamwork skills to ensure completion of job tasks

using various modes of technology, including video records, tape and other audiovisual aids

written communication skills to complete workplace documentation and reports.

Required knowledge

applicable federal, state or territory legislation and regulations relating to anti-discrimination and harassment

communication procedures for communicating with other stewards and industry personnel, including reporting lines within the workplace and wider racing industry

ethical conduct standards of relevant racing principal authority

evidence-gathering procedures

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

OHS and environmental legislative requirements

organisational policies and procedures

principles of administrative law

principles of effective communication

racing industry animal welfare requirements

rules of racing relevant to appeal subject matter.

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 preparing for racing appeals

demonstration of ability to research and gather information, and prepare evidence, employing a range of appropriate communication strategies

implementation of procedures and timely techniques for the safe, effective and efficient preparation of racing appeals

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 racing industry administration and operations 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 prepare evidence at racing appeals, including:

supervised access to inquiry, protest and appeals documents at supervisor's discretion

racing administration buildings and related appeals 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

case studies to assess candidate's ability to provide written and/or oral responses to various scenarios.

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).

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 prepare for appeals. 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.

Appeals process includes:

appeal decision

application for stay of proceedings

avenue of appeal for aggrieved person at first or second level, dependant on racing code procedures

level of fine or suspension duration

lodgement of fees

notice of appeal

subject matter of appeals and associated rules of racing

time frame of appeal related to statutory requirement.

Evidence may include:

copy of betting sheets and fluctuations

inquiry transcripts

models

stewards' reports

swab materials

videos.

Effective listening and speaking skills may include:

being clear and precise

clarifying what a question is about prior to responding

presenting information in logical order

speaking clearly

using language that is not patronising but at a level suitable for interviewee

using body language and voice that is assertive but not aggressive

using non-discriminatory language

verifying what has been said or done and why.

Assertiveness skills may include:

acknowledging rights of self and others

confronting tactfully

displaying self-confidence

giving others an opportunity to state their case

keeping control of emotions

keeping control of tone, level and pitch of voice

maintaining authority without resorting to emotional blackmail or violence

valuing others.

Unit Sector

Greyhound, harness and thoroughbred racing codes

This unit contains employability skills.