Maintain the health and welfare of animals under supervision and instruction
Overview
The standard includes providing support to maintain the health and welfare of animals by monitoring their condition and behaviour and reporting these to the relevant person.
You will need to be aware of your own limitations and confirm that you meet the relevant legal responsibilities for maintaining a duty of care under current animal health and welfare legislation.
This standard is suitable for anyone who maintains the health and welfare of animals under supervision and instruction.
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
carry out your work under supervision and instruction
maintain the health and safety of yourself and all those involved in the activity, and the welfare of the animals, during the work
maintain hygiene and bio-security in accordance with instructions, business practice and relevant legislation
maintain the needs of the animals in your care in accordance with the relevant animal health and welfare legislation
interact with the animal in a way that minimises stress or injury
maintain the health and well-being of animals during your work activity
monitor the physical condition and behaviour of the animals in your care, and report any concerns to the relevant person
check the condition of the animals' accommodation in accordance with relevant instructions
check that the environmental conditions are suitable for the animals in accordance with relevant instructions
check that the animals are provided with food and water in accordance with relevant instructions
recognise when an animal’s behaviour indicates that you should not continue with the activity and report where necessary to the relevant person
maintain records as required by relevant legislations and organisational policies
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
the importance of completing the activity under supervision and instruction
your responsibilities under the relevant environmental and health and safety legislation, associated codes of practice and organisational policies
the importance of maintaining hygiene and bio-security and the methods for achieving this
your responsibilities under the relevant animal health and welfare legislation, associated codes of practice and organisational policies
the needs of animals that must be maintained under the relevant animal health and welfare legislation
how to promote the health and well-being of animals and minimise the risk of stress or injury
how to recognise the signs of health in the animal species you are working with
how to recognise the signs that may indicate problems with an animal’s health and well-being and the actions that should be taken if these are noticed
how to recognise the signs of fear, aggression, stress, pain, ill-health and injury in animals you are working with
how to maintain animals’ accommodation and the equipment and materials needed in accordance with relevant instructions
how environmental conditions may affect an animal’s health and well-being
how your actions or the actions of those involved in your work, may affect the behaviour and welfare of the animals you are working with
Scope/range
appearance and body condition
posture and movement
behaviour and social interaction
excretions
normal functions
Scope Performance
Scope Knowledge
Values
Behaviours
Skills
Glossary
England and Wales, Animal Welfare Act
Scotland, Animal Health and Welfare Act
Northern Ireland, Welfare of Animals Act (Northern Ireland)
light
ventilation
temperature
humidity
weather conditions
size/space
social contact
suitable environment (place to live)
suitable diet
ability to exhibit normal behaviour
protection from pain, suffering, injury and disease
housed with, or apart from, other animals (where applicable)
Relevant person
supervisor
manager
owner