Hairdressing Intermediate

Span Training / VTCT iTec Level 2 Diploma for Hair Professionals (Hairdressing)

The main aim of the new Level 2 Diploma for Hair Professionals is to enable candidates to gain the necessary practical and theoretical skills in order to provide Hairdressing services.

The Level 2 Diploma for Hair Professionals is comprised of 5 mandatory units 3 optional units. On completition of this qualifcation you will be able to shampoo and condition hair, cut hair using a range of techniques, style and finish hair to create a variety of looks, and colour and lighten hair for ladies and men. You will be able to work with all hair types ranging from straight hair to very curly, wiry hair. You will also be able to carry out consultations with clients, demonstrate the professionalism, values, behaviours, communications skills and safe working practices associated with your role and be able to work without supervision to a high level of precision, with exceptional client care skills.
Mandatory Units:
  • Consultation
  • Shampoo, Condition and Treat the Hair & Scalp
  • Cut Hair Using a Range of Techniques to Create a Variety of Looks
  • Style and Finish Hair Using a Range of Techniques to Create a Variety of Looks
  • Color and Lighten Hair Using a Range of Techniques
Optional Units:
  • Perming Hair
  • Hair Relaxing Treatments and Techniques
  • Hair Extension Services
GCSE English and Maths A to C grade,
or Functional Skills:
  • English Reading – L1 and L2
  • English Writing – L1 and L2
  • English Speaking and Listening – L1 and L2
  • English FS Certificate – L1 and L2
  • Maths – L1 and L2
You will be able to:
  • Greet the client respectfully and in a friendly manner
  • Choose the most appropriate way of communicating with clients
  • Be helpful and courteous at all times
  • Adapt behaviour in response to each client
  • Respond promptly to client’s questions and comments and to clients seeking assistance
  • Establish client expectations and needs
  • Explain clearly any reasons why the client’s needs or expectations cannot be met
  • Give clients information about services or products offered by the salon
  • Willingly undertake wider salon duties, including sales and reception duties when required
  • Demonstrate good verbal and non-verbal communication skills
  • Provide a positive impression of yourself and your organisation
  • Meets the salon’s standards of behaviour
  • Communicate with the client politely and courteously keep the client informed and reassured
  • Quickly locate information that will help the client
  • Deal with problems within the scope of your responsibilities and job role
  • Show clients and colleagues respect at all times and in all circumstances
  • Quickly seek assistance from a senior member of staff when required
  • Maintain effective, hygienic and safe working methods
  • Take health and safety considerations into account
  • Maintain responsibilities for health and safety throughout the service
  • Observe legal and industry requirements
  • Adhere to workplace, suppliers’ or manufacturers’ instructions for the safe use of equipment, materials and products
  • Prepare your client and yourself to meet legal and organisational requirements
  • Maintain the client’s modesty, privacy and comfort at all times
  • Protect the client’s clothing and accessories throughout the service
  • Promote environmental and sustainable working practices
  • Ensure personal hygiene and protection meets industry, organisational and local authority requirements
  • Demonstrate correct use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
  • Maintain posture and position whilst working to minimise fatigue and the risk of injury to self and others
  • Use work methods that: minimise the wastage of products, minimise the risk of cross-infection, make effective use of working time, keep work area and resources clean and tidy throughout the service, dispose of waste materials to meet legal requirements, complete services in a commercially viable time
  • The necessary environmental conditions for services, such as heating and ventilation and why these are important
You will know and understand:
    • Industry and salon standards of behaviour
    • How to meet and greet clients respectfully and in a friendly manner
    • How to communicate with the client politely and courteously
    • How to identify and confirm the client’s expectations
    • Client care, principles and practices
    • How to maintain a rapport with clients
    • Who to refer to with different types of enquiries or problems and when to seek advice
    • The Sale of Goods and Services Act and the Data Protection Act
    • How to provide advice and recommendations on the products and services provided in the salon
    • Salon business systems and processes (this would include: front of house skills, housekeeping, the client journey, the reception area, making appointments, taking payments, basic business, selling and recommendations (retail), teamwork, exible working and how to adhere to workplace, suppliers’ or manufacturers’ instructions for the safe use of equipment, materials)
    • How to communicate (this would include: providing a positive impression of yourself and your organisation, customer care and the client journey, including reception, basic communication skills, how to communicate with the general public and colleagues, verbal and non-verbal communication techniques)
    • Legal and organisational requirements
    • How to use tools, equipment, materials and products correctly
    • How to adhere to workplace cleaning, disinfection, sterilisation, supplier or manufacturers’ instructions
    • Current legal requirements and guidance relating to age restrictions for colouring and lightening services
    • How to reduce and manage waste (recycle, reuse, safe disposal, clinical waste)
    • Client preparation and protection, protective clothing and products for self and clients
    • How to reduce and minimise direct and indirect cross-infection
    • How to reduce risk of injury to self and others
    • How to maintain posture and position whilst working to minimise fatigue and the risk of injury
    • Standards of personal hygiene and protection to meet industry, organisational and local authority requirements
    • The importance of using personal protective equipment (PPE)
    • What contact dermatitis is and how to avoid developing it
    • Why it is important to keep work areas and resources clean and tidy
    • Hazards and risks which exist in the workplace and the safe working practices to follow
    • Different working methods that promote environmental and sustainable working practices, e.g., reducing energy usage (energy efficient equipment, low energy lighting, utilising solar panels), reducing water usage and other resources, preventing pollution
    • Health and safety legislation and practice relevant to Consultation including: Health and Safety at Work Act; The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR); The Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations; The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order; The Manual Handling Operations Regulations; The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH); The Electricity at Work Regulations; The Environmental Protection Act; The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations; The Health and Safety (Information for Employees) Regulations; Data Protection Act; Working Time Directives; Cosmetic Products Regulations; Sale of Goods Act; Distance Selling Act; Trade Descriptions Act; Consumer Protection legislation
Learners who complete this qualification are eligible to become a
State Registered Graduate Hairdresser (SRH) with The Hairdressing Council.
Career opportunities as an advanced hairdresser/senior stylist exist in a variety of contexts, including:
  • Commercial Salons
  • Specialist African type hair salons
  • Independent/self-employed/mobile/home-based settings
  • Product manufacturing and training
  • Television, film, theatre and media
  • Armed services
  • HM prison service
  • Cruise liners
  • Hospitals/care homes
Whilst this qualification’s primary purpose is to prepare learners for employment as a junior hairdresser/stylist, learners may choose to further develop their knowledge and skills by undertaking a
Technical Level qualification in hairdressing at Level 3, examples include:
  • Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Hairdressing (QCF)
  • Level 3 Diploma in Women’s Hairdressing (QCF)
  • Level 3 Diploma in Hairdressing Studies (QCF)