Standard
Code
ST0135/v1.3 & v1.4
Maximum Funding
£7000
Typical
Duration
18 months
Level
3
Standard
EPA Price*
£800
External Quality Assurance Body
Ofqual
End-Point Assessment Requirements
English and maths
Effective from 11 February 2025, the government has removed the mandatory English and maths functional skills requirement for apprentices aged 19 and above who start their apprenticeship training. This change includes apprentices who are currently on the programme.
The new ruling applies to apprentices on programme and all apprentices starting their programmes from February 2025.
Employers and apprentices must agree by 1st April 2025 whether apprentices aged 19 and above on programme will continue studying English and maths.
- Providers must record the decision in the training plan.
- Apprentices must continue their studies until an agreement is made.
It is worth noting that whilst the mandatory requirement for English and Maths has been removed, apprentices and employers can still choose to receive English and Maths training and participate in the associated tests.
For apprentices under the age of 19 at programme commencement, there is still a requirement to undertake Maths and English training and take functional skills tests.
Qualifications and On-programme Assessment
In order to reach end-point assessment, apprentices will need to be supported through their on-programme learning by the employer and training organisation in the following elements:
- Passed Paediatric First Aid or Emergency Paediatric First Aid
- English and mathematics qualifications in line with the apprenticeship funding rules
- Building a portfolio of evidence to support end-point assessment
Observation with questioning
- In the observation with questions, an independent assessor observes the apprentice in their workplace and asks questions. The apprentice completes their day-to-day duties under normal working conditions. Simulation is not allowed. It gives the apprentice the opportunity to demonstrate the KSBs mapped to this assessment method.
- The observation with questioning must take 1 hour 20 minutes (+10% at the independent assessor’s discretion). The observation with questioning must take place in person.
- The observation has fail, pass and distinction grades.
Professional Discussion underpinned by a Portfolio of Evidence
- The independent assessor will review the portfolio of evidence and use it to identify areas for the professional discussion – it is not directly assessed.
- The professional discussion must last 90 minutes (+10% at the independent assessor’s discretion).
- The portfolio of evidence must be present during the discussion and apprentices will be expected to draw on its contents.
- The professional discussion has fail, pass and distinction grades.
- Webinar or video conferencing software can be used for the assessment.
Available Resources
- Training provider resource library
- EPA Specification v1.3 and v1.4 (click to view)
- PAL Guide – Making the Apprenticeship Journey Successful (click to view)
Previous Version
How to engage with PAL.
Engaging with PAL couldn’t be easier. Simply contact us at info@professionalassessment.co.uk or on 0800 1601899. Our senior team will contact you to find out about your requirements in more detail and discuss how we might need to adapt our approach to meet your needs. Once you are happy that PAL is the right fit for your programme, we set up your account, share our library of resources and support you to register your apprentices. You can then rest assured that you have a dedicated team on hand to guide you through your EPA journey and provide a responsive service when your apprentices are ready to be assessed.