End Point Assessors for Leader in Adult Care - Level 5

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 sure that 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 undertake end-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 involved in 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 assured by 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 apprenticeship assessment 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)

• Assess the performance of candidates in accordance with published assessment and grading criteria and procedures, ensuring overall standards are maintained

• 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 Tech Partnership overseen by Digital Industries Apprenticeship External Quality Assurance Board

Person Specification

Occupational Profile

The Leader in Adult Care will guide and inspire teams to make positive differences to someone’s life when they are faced with physical, practical, social, emotional, psychological or intellectual challenges. They will be a leader of the care team and will develop and implement a values-based culture at a service or unit level. They may be responsible for business development, financial control, organisational resilience and continuity as well as for managing risk and leading on organisational change.

A Leader in Adult Care has responsibility for managing community or residential based services. This role has a large element of leadership, whether with other care workers and networks or in leading the service itself. A successful apprentice will have met all the requirements. They have a responsibility to ensure the service is safe, effective, caring, responsive to people’s needs and well-led. They may be a registered manager of a service, unit, deputy or assistant manager. They will be responsible for ensuring regulatory compliance of the care given and the values and training of staff with established standards and regulations.

Examples of job roles include registered, assistant, deputy, unit or service manager

Background and Experience (essential):

• Current relevant occupational competence within the workplace for at least 3 yrs.

• Knowledge and understanding of the Adult Care sector, in particular, having current knowledge of relevant legislation, regulation, codes of practice and good practice guides

• Qualified with a relevant qualification/s at or above the level they are assessing (Level 5)

• Hold a formal assessor qualification (A1, TAQA)

• 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

Essential others

• Only UK based candidates will be considered for this role due to requirements

• Minimum of two working days during the week will be required for EPA role.

Background and Experienc e (desirable)

• Hold an IQA award

Skills & Knowledge (Essential)

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

• Knowledge of relevant legislation, codes of practice

• 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 risks

• Ability to meet deadlines

Other requirements

Any applicant undertaking this role will be expected to:

• Have personal IT equipment capable of running Pearson required software

• Have a suitable broadband connection, Microphone, Headphones and a webcam

• Have a personal and secure email account

• Have a postal address in the United Kingdom or Republic of Ireland, Guernsey, Jersey Isle of Man

• Have the right to work in the UK

• Allow additional time for travel, when making EPA arrangements

Note: Please indicate your most recent or relevant experience in Occupational section of the form. If your sector is not listed, please contact the recruitment team on associate.pearson.com

About Pearson

We value the power of inclusive culture and embed diversity and inclusion in everything we do. Pearson promotes a company culture where differences are embraced as strengths, opportunities are equal and accessible, consideration and respect are the norm. Through our talent, we believe that diversity and inclusion make us a more innovative and vibrant company. People are at the centre of our company. We are committed to a sustainable environment and workplace ecosystem where talent can learn, grow, and thrive. We provide content, assessment and digital services to learners, educational institutions, employers, governments and other partners globally. We are the UK's largest awarding body and offer qualifications that are globally recognised and benchmarked, with educational excellence rooted in a range of General and Vocational courses.