Assist with chemical services

URN: SKAHBR26
Business Sectors (Suites): Combined Hairdressing and Barbering,Hairdressing and Barbering
Developed by: SkillsActive
Approved on: 2025

Overview

This standard is about Assistant Hairdressers and Barbers supporting senior staff during chemical services. Duties include preparing and maintaining the working environment, materials, tools and equipment and assisting senior staff within the service to promote speed and effectiveness. Discussions about personal development and areas for improvement will take place with a senior member of staff.


Performance criteria

You must be able to:

Performance Criteria:
You must be able to:
1.    Discuss and agree your role and responsibilities in assisting with
chemical services, with a senior member of staff
2.    Maintain your responsibilities for health and safety in accordance
with legislation/regulations, organisational policies and as instructed
by senior staff
3.    Prepare and protect yourself ready for assisting with a chemical
service
4.    Prepare the working work area, tools, equipment, materials and
products as instructed by senior staff
5.    Prepare the individual in accordance with senior staff instructions
using the appropriate personal protective equipment
6.    Observe a senior member of staff whilst they carry out a consultation, taking into consideration of hair classifications, hair characteristics and the state of hair
7.    Complete a shampooing service if appropriate for the service, as
instructed by a senior member of staff
8.    Assist with the handling, passing and replenishment of products and
materials, as instructed by a senior member of staff
9.    Observe the techniques the senior member of staff uses during the
chemical service to support your personal development
10. Remove chemical products from the hair under the supervision and
following the senior staff members instructions
11. Apply the appropriate conditioning and finishing products as
instructed by a senior member of staff
12. Clean work surfaces following completion of the service, leaving the
work area in a suitable condition in preparation for the next client
13. Dispose of waste materials
14. Replenish low levels of resources, when required to minimise
disruption to your own work and to the individuals
15. Check with the senior member of staff that tasks have been fulfilled
at each stage of the chemical service.
16. Discuss your development and areas for improvement with a senior
member of staff


Knowledge and Understanding

You need to know and understand:

You must know and understand:
1.    The importance of discussing and understanding your role and
responsibilities when assisting with chemical services
2.    The importance of maintain your responsibilities for health and
safety in accordance with legislation/regulations, organisational
policies and senior staff instructions
3.    The importance of preparing and protecting yourself before
undertaking your role in assisting senior staff with a chemical service
4.    The associated risks with chemical hair services and ways in which
they can be avoided
5.    The types of products used in a range of chemical services
6.    The materials, tools and equipment used within a range of chemical
services
7.    How to prepare the service area for a range of chemical services in
line with health and safety regulations, manufacturers, and senior staff instructions
8.    The importance of preparing the individual in line with senior staff
instructions
9.    The importance of removing a range of chemical products and
materials in a way that minimises the risk of damage
10. The importance of using working methods that prevent the spread of
chemical products being spread onto individuals’ skin, clothes and
surrounding areas
11. How to finish a chemical service
12. The effects of finishing products on the hair after a chemical service
13. The types and causes of problems that may occur when removing a
range of chemical products and materials from hair 
14. The importance of discussing your development and areas for
improvement with a senior member of staff


Scope/range

Range/Scope
Chemical services

  1. Colouring and lightening
  2. Relaxing
  3. Perming


    Chemical Products
    1. Colouring and lightening products
    2. Perm lotion
    3. Relaxing product
    4. Neutraliser/normaliser

Finishing product
1. Normalising shampoo
2. Post treatment antioxidant conditioner


Scope Performance


Scope Knowledge


Values


Behaviours


Skills


Glossary

Supervising members of staff   -  a qualified member of staff whom is a Stylist, Barber, Manager, Mentor, Tutor/Educator, For Customer service tasks this may also be a Receptionist
Individual – client and may also include team members and visitors
Personal development –  self-improvement. Improves an individual’s capabilities and potential
Responsibilities - having a duty to deal with something eg working safely to avoid risk to others
Health and safety regulations – health and safety law which must be followed
Organisational policies - set of rules, responsibilities, processes and timelines and that behaviour which must be followed
Personal protective equipment (PPE)– items of clothing and equipment to protect individuals eg Gown, towels, Aprons, Gloves and other appropriate PPE
Replenish -  restock/refill or replace something which has been used eg towels, products, shampoos
Consumables – resources that are used up relatively quickly eg shampoos, hair products and refreshments
Communication - exchanging information, ideas, thoughts, or feelings between individuals. This can be verbal, non-verbal (body language) and written
Timely manner – performing tasks without delay
Promotional Display – arranging products in a way that is appealing as instructed by the supervising member of staff
Classification – identifies whether the hair is straight, wavy, curly, tight curly or combination
Consultation – The process of formally consulting and discussing an individuals requirements, previous history of hair services and looking at the clients hair and skin
Characteristics – this includes hair density, texture, elasticity, porosity and hair growth patterns
State of hair  -  Identifies whether the hair is chemically or non-chemically treated
Productivity – the results of working efficiently and effectively
Continued professional development (CPD)- learning experiences which help you develop and improve your professional practice. 
Anticipate – Think ahead as to what is needed
Tension – The amount of force used to hold hair while carrying out a range of services eg shampooing, drying, styling, cutting hair, colouring.
Contact dermatitisinflammation of the skin (redness, itchy, dry, cracked) when it comes into contact with a particular substance when carrying out a range of services eg Shampooing, Styling, chemical treatments
Methodically – work in an orderly or systematic manner


Links To Other NOS

SKAHBR22, SKAHBR23, SKAHBR24, SKAHBR25, SKAHBR27, SKAHBR28


External Links


Version Number

1

Indicative Review Date

2029

Validity

Current

Status

Original

Originating Organisation

n/a

Original URN

n/a

Relevant Occupations

Hairdressing and Barbering, Hairdressing Assistant

SOC Code

6221

Keywords

Barbering, Hairdressing, Assistant