Develop and manage the animal health and welfare plans
Overview
It includes the development and management of plans to maintain animal health and welfare, including routines and the resources required. The management of animal health and welfare plans will cover implementation and evaluation.
You will have knowledge and understanding of the promotion of animal health and welfare, including nutrition, diet, accommodation and exercise.
You need to be aware of your own limitations and that you meet the relevant legal responsibilities for providing your duty of care under current animal health and welfare legislation.
This standard is suitable for those working with animals who have responsibility for planning and managing the approach to the health and welfare of animals within the organisation.
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
work professionally and ethically and within the limits of your authority, expertise, training, competence and experience
comply with the relevant animal health and welfare and animal-related legislation and associated codes of practice
confirm that the relevant environmental and health and safety policies and risk assessment requirements are put into practice across your area of responsibility
monitor and confirm that hygiene and bio-security measures are established and maintained in accordance with organisational practices and relevant legislation
develop health and welfare plans for animals, with clearly defined policies and procedures
develop contingency plans for dealing with problems that might arise
establish routines that allow for the implementation of the animal health and welfare plans
confirm that facilities, supplies, equipment and any other resources required, including staff, are available for the implementation of the animal health and welfare plans
calculate the cost implications of the animal health and welfare plans
communicate the requirements of the animal health and welfare plans to those who will be involved in their implementation
specify the recording and reporting arrangements for the animal health and welfare plans
check that all those involved in the implementation of the animal health and welfare plans have the skills and knowledge required to carry out the activities
manage the implementation of the animal health and welfare plans and maintain communication with all those involved in implementing the plans
confirm that all those involved in the implementation of the animal health and welfare plans have carried out the required animal health and welfare assessments
monitor and evaluate the implementation of the animal health and welfare plans, taking the required action and making changes to the plans where necessary
confirm that records are maintained and stored as required by the relevant legislation and organisational policy
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
your professional responsibilities and the need to maintain professional competence
your responsibilities under relevant environmental and health and safety legislation, risk assessment requirements, associated codes of practice and organisational policies
your responsibility under the relevant animal health and welfare and animal-related legislation and associated code of practice
the importance of implementing the required hygiene and bio-security measures and the methods for achieving this
what should be considered when developing animal health and welfare plans
where and when to seek professional advice and guidance on the development of animal health and welfare plans
how to develop animal health and welfare plans with defined policies and procedures
the types of problems that may arise and how to take account of these when developing contingency plans
the process of establishing routines to allow the implementation of the animal health and welfare plans
the importance of assessing the cost-effectiveness of the animal health and welfare plans and the resources required for implementation, including staff
how to manage the implementation of the animal health and welfare plans and the importance of briefing and maintaining communication with all those involved in the implementation
how to monitor and evaluate animal health and welfare plans
the importance of maintaining the five welfare needs of the animal
the importance of evaluating and revising the animal health and welfare plans to ensure they continue to meet objectives
the records and reports that need to be kept in relation to developing and managing the animal health and welfare plans and the importance of completing them in accordance with the relevant legislation and organisational policy
Scope/range
the purpose of keeping each animal or group of animals
the sourcing of animals
the needs assessment of the welfare requirements for the animals kept
accommodation requirements
dietary requirements
access and handling by humans
training and the humane methods to be used
exercise requirements and the methods to be used
health and welfare monitoring relevant to species
the requirements for prophylactic treatments
breeding status, including neutering
veterinary attention
re-homing
euthanasia
culling
the introduction of new animals (including testing, quarantine)
transportation requirements
legal considerations
bio-security considerations
management of waste
cost
Scope Performance
Scope Knowledge
Values
Behaviours
Skills
Glossary
Current animal welfare legislation:
England and Wales, Animal Welfare Act
Scotland, Animal Health and Welfare Act
Northern Ireland, Welfare of Animals Act (Northern Ireland)
health issues
notifiable diseases
isolation
quarantine
emergencies
animal escapes
relocating of animals in the event of closure of the organisation
A suitable environment
A proper diet including fresh water
Ability to express normal behaviour
Companionship and other pets
Protection from and treatment of illness and injury