Edexcel Level 3 BTEC Nationals in Health and Social Care

UNIT 38: ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTHEssential guidance for tutorsDeliveryThis unit has been designed to provide learners with a good understanding of howhuman activities can cause damage to the environment, and how factors resultingfrom this can in turn affect human health. It will also provide an insight into the roleof legislation and the work of professionals in this field.Initially, learners could undertake a local environmental audit as a means ofintroducing the unit and raising awareness of specific and general issues. They willalso benefit from visits to local water treatment plants, refuse collection centres,recycling plants or sewage plants. Guest speakers could be invited in, for exampleenvironmental health officers, or representatives from local pressure groups. The useof videos/DVDs is also recommended.Small group activities could be used as the basis of investigations into the potentialeffects of a range of human activities on the environment, and the potential effectsof the resulting environmental changes on human health. Researching their topicswill enable learners to expand their research skills through the use of the internet,approaches to relevant organisations, and primary research where appropriate.Subsequent presentations to other members of the group will enhance the learning ofothers, by facilitating in depth coverage of a number of different topics. This willhelp tutors to ensure that a good range of environmental issues is covered.Learners then need to apply their research skills in order to obtain information onhow the impact of human activities on the environment is being addressed. This willinclude consideration of any major legislation, and the context of the globalenvironment. International, national, regional, local and individual contributionsneed to be considered.AssessmentEvidence for this unit could be submitted in a variety of formats, for example piecesof writing, project work, records of presentations and case studies. It is suggestedthat the unit could be assessed by means of one holistic assignment.Learners could use an investigation into a chosen environmental issue as the basis ofevidence for most of the assessment criteria. There is a broad range of issues forlearners to choose from, but they should be encouraged to select a topic ofparticular interest to them. They need to discuss their choice of topic with theirtutor in order to ensure the issue chosen has the scope available for gradingpurposes. Tutors may decide to request plans from the learners for negotiation oftopic.BN018467 – Specification – Edexcel Level 3 BTEC Nationals in Health and Social Care– Issue 1 – February 2007 © Edexcel Limited 2007473