Carry out animal socialisation and training in a Home Office designated establishment

This standard covers carrying out animal socialisation and training in a Home Office designated establishment, to enhance the animal’s psychological wellbeing.

When working with research animals recognise humanity’s obligation to them and your responsibility for ensuring their proper care and treatment at all times.

This could include taking animals from their own accommodation to another area and acclimatising them to procedures (e.g. dosing or health checks) through to conducting a training regime or socialisation session.

This standard is for animal technologists or support staff in Home Office designated establishments.

It is essential that you work strictly within the limits of the relevant project licence.

1. confirm that your work is carried out in accordance with the approved codes of practice and the organisation’s procedures and within the limits of your authority, expertise, training, competence and experience
2. carry out all work in accordance with environmental and health and safety legislation, risk assessment requirements, codes of practice and the organisation’s policies
3. assess the risks to health and safety before starting and throughout the activity
4. comply with legislation, codes of practice and the organisation’s policies relating to the care and welfare of animals in a Home Office designated establishment
5. use safe practices and the correct clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE) for the activity
6. maintain the required levels of hygiene and biosecurity in accordance with the organisation’s procedures
7. maintain communication with colleagues and all those involved in, or affected by, your work
8. use safe and humane animal handling and restraint methods such that the animal is not distressed or caused harm
9. approach all interactions with animals in a manner that reinforces desirable behavioural patterns and avoids creating undesirable behavioural patterns
10. create and implement a plan for socialisation and training with realistic targets for a desired behaviour based on the principles of learning and the intended outcome
11. evaluate and select appropriate methods and equipment to achieve the intended outcome
12. assess the potential welfare consequences of the chosen methods and equipment
13. prepare the animal, equipment and environment for the socialisation/training session
14. interact and apply humane socialisation/training techniques to the animal in a manner that minimises stress and allows the activity to be carried out safely
15. assess the progress of the socialisation/training regime against the plan at regular intervals and take action to resolve situations where activities, methods or equipment are failing to achieve the intended outcome or are found to be unsuitable for the animal
16. modify the socialisation and training plan as necessary to take into account the response of the animal
17. keep accurate and up-to-date records as required by legislation and the organisation
18. conduct all activities within the provisions of the project licence

1. your responsibilities under the relevant environmental and health and safety legislation, codes of practice and the organisation’s policies
2. your responsibilities for the care and welfare of animals in a Home Office designated establishment under the relevant animal welfare legislation and Home Office codes of practice
3. the reasons for using animals in scientific research and humanity’s responsibilities to them
4. the importance and correct use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) when carrying out activities in a Home Office designated establishment
5. the importance of maintaining the appropriate levels of hygiene and biosecurity and the procedures for this
6. safe and humane methods of animal handling and restraint
7. the aims of animal socialisation and training programmes
8. how socialisation and training will impact on animal welfare and when it might not be appropriate
9. the intended outcome and desired behaviour of the socialisation and training
10. how to formulate socialisation and training plans with realistic targets for desired behaviour
11. how to select appropriate methods and equipment to achieve the intended outcome
12. the factors which may affect the progress and success of the socialisation and training plan
13. how to prepare the animal, equipment and environment for the socialisation/training session
14. why it is important to ensure that the area and any equipment or toys used have been thoroughly tested
15. the importance of following the correct procedures when taking an animal through a socialisation/training regime and the action to take where activities, methods or equipment are failing to achieve the intended outcome or are found to be unsuitable for the animal
16. the information that needs to be recorded and the organisation’s procedures for this
17. the provisions of the project licence