End Point Assessor

End Point Assessor - Apprenticeship - Children, Young People and Families Practitioner (Level 4) 2020

Reference: EPA/CYPFP/2020

**Independent end-point assessor for Children, Young People and Families Practitioner (Level 4) End Point Assessments**

**Overview of the independent end-point assessor role**:
The Government has introduced a requirement that all apprenticeships contain an end-point assessment (EPA) which is a holistic assessment of the Knowledge, Skills and Behaviour (KSBs) that have been learnt throughout the apprenticeship. This is to make surethat apprentices meet the rigorous standard set by employers and are fully competent in the relevant occupation. Pearson must provide employers with the confidence that completing an apprenticeship means an individual is fully job-ready and that all apprentices,following the same standard, are assessed consistently, regardless of where they are undertaking their apprenticeship or who they are doing it with.

An independent EPA means that those making a decision on the competency of the apprentice have nothing to gain from the outcome of the assessment. To maintain independence within the scope of this EPA, an independent end-point assessor (IEA) can only undertakeend-point assessments of apprentices, with whom they have no conflict of interest. This means they must be independent of the registered apprenticeship training provider at which the apprentice completed their on-programme element, and must not have been involvedin the on-programme training, assessment, or line management of such apprentices.

The end-point assessments will be conducted onsite, on dates agreed with employers and/or providers if appropriate. IEAs will record and submit the EPA outcomes, with clear justifications for the grading decisions. EPA activities will be quality assuredby Pearson quality assurance representatives.

IEAs for this EPA will be qualified assessors that meet the occupational profile of the apprentices they are assessing and will be trained, standardised and approved to operate as IEAs. The IEAs will undertake EPAs in line with the associated apprenticeshipassessment plan, and the materials provided by Pearson. Please see the below Key Accountabilities and Person Specification sections for further details.

**Key Accountabilities**:
The IEA will:
Take part in regular training and standardisation activities, associated with the role of IEA for this EPA

Maintain and provide evidence of ongoing, relevant Continuous Professional Development (CPD)

Follow the protocols set out in Pearson’s specifications, assessment materials and quality assurance protocols, relating to the EPAs

Maintain service-level agreements with regards to responding to EPA planning, operational activities, reports and submissions of assessment outcomes

Report all risks and issues encountered during the end-point assessment to Pearson, including any suspected malpractice/maladministration

Ensure all EPA reports and assessment evidence are high quality and recorded accurately

Support Pearson, if necessary, with any appeals from apprentices, regarding assessment decisions

Raise any conflicts of interest, including in relation to the independence of assessment

Ensure that any personal actions are completed, as required by Pearson

Contribute to the continuous improvement of Pearson’s end-point assessment activities

Contribute to the external quality assurance activities undertaken by OFQUAL

**Person Specification**

**Role Profile**

As a practitioner, you will be working with children, young people and families, including carers, to achieve positive and sustainable change in their lives. You will demonstrate a passion to care for and about children, young people and families. You willbe skilled in recognising and assessing the complex needs that children, young people and families often present. You will agree with the child, young person or family any specific interventions or referrals. Your approach will be one of respectful curiositythat challenges and supports children, young people and families to achieve their potential and stay safe. You will work alongside other professionals and organisations to share the responsibility for improving outcomes

**Background and Experience (essential)**:
Be occupationally competent of the children, young people and family sector

Have at least 2 years’ experience of competence-based interviewing within the last 5 years

Qualified to at least level 4 in the children, young people and family sector

Qualified in assessment practice, e.g. D33 Assessors qualification, A1 assessors award or TAQA qualification

Experience of leading meetings/structured interviews/discussions

Experience of complying with quality assurance/regulatory requirements

Evidence of commitment to maintaining CPD, in line with new apprenticeship requirements and the EPA specialism

**Background and Experience (desirable)**:
To hold, or be working towards an internal quality assurance qualification

Experience of making grading judgements

Knowledge of prevent & safeguarding

**Skills & Knowledge (Essential)**

Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal skills, including the ability to effectively respond to conflicts

Flexibility to understand and respond to the individual needs and circumstances of employers/apprentices

Sufficient and relevant technical knowledge of:
Health and Safety requirements in the workplace

industry structure and processes

relevant legal and regulatory frameworks

a range of products and services offered within the industry

systems, tools, equipment, machinery and processes used within relevant roles

In-depth knowledge of the associated apprenticeship standard, assessment plan, specification, assessment instruments and recording tools

Ability to assess, free from bias

Ability to assess and report