Webinar – Beauty and Complementary Therapy

Beauty and Complementary Therapy Webinar

6th October 2020

The webinar was held on Tuesday, 6th October 2020. You can access a recording of this webinar in the secure area of our website here (Centre login required)

View the webinar button

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are the most frequently asked questions resulting from the webinar and follow-ups with centres. We will update these as and when we receive more enquiries.

General Questions

How many learners can be in a class?

This depends on how large the classroom or practical area is. National Guidelines stipulate that 2 metres should be maintained where possible and learners must wear face coverings at all times.

What changes will be implemented and when should we expect them to change?

Changes have been implemented since March 2020, the Adaptation timeline runs until December 2020.

We hope to be back to conducting Physical Exams and/or a mix of remote invigilation on a case by case basis as soon as practicable while adhering to government guidelines.

What advice is there regarding student interaction, hygiene and Covid protocol?

Systems of interaction and policies will be specific and unique to each centre. We recommend that each centre follows local and National government guidelines.

What are the main concerns within the industry?

The most pressing concerns within the industry at present are remaining open, customer/staff retention, and adapting business models around all of the adaptations.

However, the HABIC impact report indicates that most businesses remain buoyant and optimistic and will continue to recruit qualified therapists.

Can we deliver practical training as well as theory online via zoom with students?

Yes. Online platforms are now considered a normal way to deliver particular theoretical units.

iTEC does not specify which platform is used. You may use whichever suits your method of delivery best.

What is your opinion on students wearing gloves?

This really will depend on the treatment circumstance. You can also find guidance on this within the Infection Prevention Qualification that is relevant to your sector.

Exams and Assessment

How will case studies be carried out, given the restrictions on clients that students can work on?

Case studies / Treatment evidence can be captured by using other centre learners or clients from the same household. If this is not possible, a screening process of the potential client should be carried out prior to treatment, with all sanitisation processes undertaken.

Can we offer anatomy now and guarantee that it will be available to examine online via ITEC next year?

Where possible theoretical units can be delivered online or in a blended form that does not disrupt the standard and integrity of the particular unit. iTEC will be encouraging all centres to take the Anatomy online MCQ.

Can you explain the new way to assess students going forward and how we include IQA & EQA in the process?

We are currently working to develop adaptations for all VRQ qualifications. This will be published and will support providers to deliver in this academic year.

All EQA activity as it stands will be remote.

For NVQs, we are working with customer, industry and stakeholders to develop further adaptations.

How does supervision of theory exams online work?

Where possible all theory examinations will go online, where students will take the exam within the classroom with normal invigilation protocols followed.

The use of E-Portfolio is encouraged and we will be offering training webinars in the coming weeks.

What happens if External Examiners are unable to examine practicals due to restrictions?

Where possible Examiners will be visiting centres conducting practical exams.

If this is not possible, iTEC adaptations will be used. Examiners may do a remote visit and capture evidence of practical performance.

Can Case studies be reduced? Will the QQI final exam be accepted for ITEC?

If students have already produced a portfolio of evidence for QQI (assignments/treatment evidence) in the same subject areas (80% mapped content) they can be exempted from that iTEC unit, but evidence must be kept and presented to the Examiner.

If students have completed and passed a Level 5 QQI A&P, they can use Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). (They must have the resulted transcript completed before applying for RPL.) It must also be noted that RPL can only be graded as a Pass mark.

Beauty Therapy

How does the Delivery of the Beauty Specialist Diploma now work?

Students enrolled on to the BSD can take specific units separately as soon as they are ready.

How can we teach Make up to students in a Covid compliant manner?

How can we find out all of the specific changes to a particular qualification?

Should gloves be used in the Beauty and Make-Up industry? Or is hand-washing better?

Specific advice is given within the relevant COVID qualification, however, common sense should also always be exercised in your particular circumstance.

Complementary Therapies

How can we deliver Massage Therapy during the pandemic?

Learners will screen clients thoroughly and follow the hand sanitisation protocols, wearing face masks and any other PPE that they see fit. Clients will also wear face masks for the majority of the treatment.

Other sectors

Are there any additional resources available for the Certificate in Education and Training?

We are currently developing more resources such as workbooks and Powerpoints to help support the Education & Training qualifications and will be communicating this to centres who deliver these qualifications once they are ready to use.