Edexcel Level 3 BTEC Nationals in Health and Social Care

UNIT 10: CARING FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLEEssential guidance for tutorsDeliveryDue to the multi-disciplinary nature of the content of this unit it is recommendedthat a team of tutors from relevant professional backgrounds share the teachingresponsibilities. Also, due to the sensitivity of the issues covered, it is recommendedthat learners have access to support services. Delivery of the unit will need carefulhandling by tutors.It is strongly recommended that this unit be delivered in the later stages of theprogramme, by which time learners will have developed their understanding ofprofessional work with children and their families. They will have gained experiencesin their work placements, including some knowledge and understanding of protectionissues.The unit lends itself to inviting professional speakers from health, education, socialservices and the police/youth justice system to describe their roles in childprotection. A visit to the local magistrates’ court would be useful in enabling learnersto experience the atmosphere of legal proceedings. The use of case studies is to berecommended, ensuring that confidentiality is respected if these are taken from reallife situations.The unit could be introduced by pooling knowledge, understanding and experiencesgained so far by the learners during their progression through the programme.Learner could then be asked to clarify, for example, child protection policies at theirplacements, and share these with the class at the following session.This introduction will then require extension and expansion by the tutors responsiblefor delivering the unit, preferably with the use of a range of guest speakers. Casestudies, and to a certain extent sensitively managed role plays, could help to makelearning more practical. Learners should be encouraged to be reflective during theirprogression through the unit.AssessmentThe evidence for this unit is likely to be presented in the form of pieces of writing.Two assignments could be used as the basis of assessment, the first focusing on theprovision of care for looked-after children and young people (P1, P2, P3, M1, M2 andD1), and the second focusing on child abuse (P4, P5, P6, M2, M3 and D2).For the first assignment learners could investigate the provision of services forlooked-after children and young people through local research, internet research andresearch at their work experience placements. Legislation has been included inseveral units within the programme, and in this instance learners need only considerits role as relevant to the care and protection of children and young people.BN018467 – Specification – Edexcel Level 3 BTEC Nationals in Health and Social Care– Issue 1 – February 2007 © Edexcel Limited 2007149