Independent EPA Lead for Senior Healthcare Support Worker

Independent end-point assessor for Senior Healthcare Support Worker (Allied Health Profession – Therapy Support) (Level 3)

Overview of the independent end-point assessor role

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, or remotely, on dates agreed with employers. Independent end-point assessors 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 will 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.

Key Accountabilities:

• 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
• Allow additional time for travel, when making EPA arrangements
• 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

Occupational Profile: Senior Healthcare Support Workers (SHCSW) help registered practitioners deliver healthcare services to people. As an experienced support worker, they carry out a range of clinical and non-clinical healthcare or therapeutic tasks, under the direct or indirect supervision of the registered healthcare practitioner. SHCSWs provide high quality, compassionate healthcare, following standards, policies or protocols and always acting within the limits of their competence. SHCSWs may work in a range of services e.g. hospital, community, health or day case unit, birth centre or midwifery led unit, someone’s home, operating theatre, nursing or care home, assessment centre, hospice, school, prison, GP surgery, charity or voluntary organisation; working in partnership with individuals, families, carers and other service providers.

Duties are delegated to the SHCSW in line with care plans. Not all duties are routine and the SHCSW will need to use their knowledge, experience and understanding to take decisions within their area of responsibility. A SHCSW is accountable for their work and for reviewing the effectiveness of their actions. The role is undertaken following a period of experience in healthcare, so they are able to demonstrate best practice and act as a role model. A SHCSW may supervise or guide the less experienced staff in their team. SHCSWs follow the Code of Conduct for Healthcare Support Workers and Adult Social Care Workers.

Allied Health Profession – Therapy Support

Allied Health Profession (AHP) – therapy support workers work with individuals in a range of settings; their clinical and therapeutic duties will vary accordingly. There are 12 different AHP professions and they may carry out tasks associated with a single profession or tasks that relate to a range of them. Their supervisor will usually be a registered Allied Health Professional.

Illness, disability or a change in life circumstances often means that people have to learn or be supported to do things in new and different ways. This can change the pattern of a life-course, but individuals can often expect to regain and enjoy a quality of life through the therapeutic and clinical support an AHP – therapy support worker provides. Some individuals may have short term needs e.g. an injury. Others may have long-term physical and/or mental illness or learning disability that affects their independence, function or way of living. AHP – therapy support workers will be required to work with the individual either on their own or within a group setting. AHP – therapy support workers may also work with others to support the individual e.g. training carers or working with families.

Background and Experience (essential):

• Be occupationally competent in the Allied Health Profession – therapy support field
• Be a registered healthcare professional or have completed a level 5 apprenticeship or regulated occupational competence qualification at level 5 or above
• Hold, or be working towards, a formal assessor qualification (e.g. A1, assessor component to TAQA etc)
• Have experience of working in a healthcare setting within the last 2 years
• 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(s), including maintenance of recent occupational experience
• Hold an Enhanced DBS certificate (Applicants applying for this role will need to hold an Enhanced DBS (with or without a barred list check) that is registered for the update service. Other supporting documents will also be required as evidence.)
• Willing to travel to employer locations for face-to-face practical assessments
• Minimum of two working days during the week will be required for EPA role.

Essential others:

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

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
• Ability to understand and respond to the individual needs and circumstances of employers/apprentices
• Sufficient and relevant technical knowledge of:
• the healthcare sector
• the role of the allied health profession – therapy support worker
• 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

About Pearson

Pearson is the world's leading learning company, with 35,000 employees in more than 70 countries working to help people of all ages to make measurable progress in their lives through learning. We put the apprentice at the centre of everything we do, because wherever learning flourishes, so do people.