The Bowen Forum

[N.O.S.]

National Occupational Standards

National Occupational Standards (NOS) for Bowen in the UK were drafted in 2006, by a working party of Bowen therapists, working with Skills for Health. Following a consultation period, the standards were agreed, and were signed off by the Skills for Health Programme Board. They can be accessed using the following link:
http://www.skillsforhealth.org.uk/tools/view_framework.php?id=111

Skills for Health is the Sector Skills Council for Health within the UK and is the Government approved Standards Setting Body for Health Sector professions.

Skills for Health works with Professional and Regulatory Bodies to develop competency frameworks and National Occupational Standards that are recognised by government office and Education and Training institutions, and have a positive role in defining the Profession and good practice within it. As detailed descriptions of good practice (in outcome terms), they include performance criteria and scope of practice (ie what must be demonstrated and in what context), and the knowledge requirements to underpin good practice.

National Occupational Standards are supported by Government Departments in the four UK countries as having a key role in professional regulation and recognition, and within qualification and accreditation regimes. They provide a clear specification of good practice in terms of what can be observed, the required knowledge base to underpin good practice, and the context in which competent performance should be demonstrated.

What are the benefits of the standards?

The standards provide a coherent overview of good practice and provide a shared language that is capable of being applied to different contexts, schools and individuals. The benefits of standards are well recognised within all professional sectors and have a key role within Regulation which is supported by the Department of Health and Government office. They define the performance of good practice, which can be objectively measured, and provide Regulatory Bodies and Professional Membership Groups with National benchmarks of good practice for entry and progression for practitioners.

How can the standards be used?

The standards can be used in a variety of ways including by:

Individual practitioners as a guide to best practice and to help them develop their own knowledge and skills
Professional associations and regulatory authorities in assessing applicants wishing to join registers with regard to their suitability for admission
Institutions who offer education and training, through identifying individuals' learning needs, defining the learning outcomes that individuals need to achieve, and acting as a guide in the development of qualifications relating to the therapy.
Organisations providing educational, health care or other specific services that might incorporate the therapy provision
Funding providers and other groups or organisations who may wish to support and develop therapy services
Organisations concerned with regulating, assessing or monitoring activities associated with the practice of the therapy.