End Point Assessor - Apprenticeship Children, Young People and Families Practitioner (Level 4) [...] in Sheffield

Independent End-Point Assessor for Children, Young People and Families Practitioner (Level 4) in the YORKSHIRE AREA only.

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 ensures 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, 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.

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 or mis‐administration.
• 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:

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 will be 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 curiosity that 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.
• Hold a current Enhanced DBS certificate (with or without a barred list check) that is registered for the update service.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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 risks.
• Ability to meet deadlines.