Edexcel Level 3 BTEC Nationals in Health and Social Care

UNIT 23: COMPLEMENTARY THERAPIES FOR HEALTH AND SOCIAL CAREFor P5, learners need to describe the role of four different complementary therapiesin relation to health and wellbeing. Again, the therapies could be the same as thosechosen for P3, but not necessarily. Learners need to consider the value of thesecomplementary therapies, potential advantages and disadvantages of their use, andsources of evidence of their potential value and effectiveness.D1 draws on all previous criteria by requiring learners to evaluate the evidencerelating to the use of complementary therapies in contemporary society. To achievethis, learners will need to demonstrate analytical skills in the way in which theyassess the evidence relating to the use of complementary therapies in present daysociety. In doing this, they will use a variety of information to reinforce their workand produce clear, considered evaluations. They will also show an appreciation of theneed to question the validity of data.P6 requires learners to identify current regulation systems for complementarytherapists. Evidence for this should have been obtained during delivery of the unit,through the use of guest speakers, visits and internet research.M4 requires discussion of the effectiveness of these regulatory systems, whilst D2requires an evaluation of their effectiveness in relation to both the practitioner andthe patient/service user. In order to achieve this, learners need to use personalinitiative to gather information and not just provide a survey of current literature.For example, reference to discussions with practitioners/patients/service userswithin learner’s written evidence will help to support learner’s evaluations.Links to National Occupational Standards, other BTEC units, other BTECqualifications and other relevant units and qualificationsThis unit links in particular to Unit 1: Developing Effective Communication in Healthand Social Care, Unit 6: Personal and Professional Development in Health and SocialCare, and Unit 22: Research Methodology for Health and Social Care.The unit should also enable learners to gain some of the underpinning knowledge forthe following units of the Level 3 NVQ in Health and Social Care:• Unit HSC31: Promote effective communication for and about individuals• Unit HSC33: Reflect on and develop your practice• Unit HSC34: Promote the wellbeing and protection of children and youngpeople• Unit HSC35: Promote choice, wellbeing and the protection of allindividuals• Unit HSC3111: Promote the equality, diversity, rights and responsibilities ofindividuals• Unit HSC3116: Contribute to promoting a culture that values and respectsthe diversity of individuals.BN018467 – Specification – Edexcel Level 3 BTEC Nationals in Health and Social Care– Issue 1 – February 2007 © Edexcel Limited 2007315