Institute of Beauty and Body Therapy

Unit 5 has 3 elements – Theory, Practical and Case studies.

The main aim of the ITEC Level 3 Diploma in On Site Massage is to enable candidates to provide treatments for the purposes of relaxation and stress release in the workplace.

It also aims:

• to provide skills at Level 3 in the National Qualification Framework for those interested in the Complementary Therapy/Care industry

• to provide opportunities for staff in the Complementary Therapy/ Care industry to gain a Level 3 qualification

•  to qualify candidates as On Site massage Therapists at Level 3 in the Complementary /Care industry

• to sustain the interest of candidates wanting to work in the Complementary Therapy industry

• to encourage knowledge and understanding for the Complementary Therapy/Care industry at Level 3

•  to provide opportunities for candidates to focus on the development of the major Key skills and the wider Key skills in a Therapy context such as communicating with clients, working with others and problem solving

• to provide opportunities for candidates to develop a range of skills and techniques, personal qualities and attitudes essential for successful performance in employment as On Site massage Therapists.

The candidate will study the theory of the treatment as well as the contraindications and the underpinning knowledge and skills required to successfully perform an On Site massage treatment.

Case studies are also required to be completed for this award. The case studies form the internal assessment and should be assessed throughout the training by the tutor using the ITEC Case Study Guidance sheet. The case studies are then verified by an ITEC Examiner at the end of the course during the visit for invigilating the practical examination. The case studies ensure that a variety of clients must be consulted and treated in all the above areas and the outcomes of the treatments must be documented in order to gain experience of working with a variety of clients and conditions whilst candidates are still under supervision. Detailed rationales for the type of On Site Massage treatment and outcomes must be shown, as well as after care.

The examination takes the form of:

• Unit 5 On Site Massage a paper of 30 minutes duration with a total of 25 questions

• A Practical exam conducted by an ITEC Practical Examiner for unit 5.

• Internal Assessment of ALL case studies by the College Lecturer and External Verification by the ITEC Practical Examiner.

As indicated above all aspects of the award are examined externally by ITEC Practical Examiners.

It is recommended that candidates should have achieved a level of education equivalent to five GCSEs at grades A*-C prior to commencing the ITEC Level 3 Diploma in On Site Massage. However, exemptions may be made for adult returners with experience of the work place.

There is also a pre-requisite of ITEC Level 3 Diploma in Holistic Massage or equivalent

As there are currently no National Occupational Standards for Unit 5 On Site massage, by which to map the massage unit, ITEC has ensured that best practice in the workplace has been reflected in the syllabus. ITEC has linked the qualification to the relative job role as well as ensuring that the syllabus reflects the required level of knowledge and ability for the Therapist.