Standard
Code
ST0008/1.1
Maximum Funding
£7000
Typical
Duration
18 months (this does not include EPA period)
Level
5
Standard
EPA Price*
£1000
EQA Provider
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.
Observation of Practice
The apprentice will demonstrate their skills, behaviours and leadership to an organisational audience.
● The apprentice must lead the observed activity which will be agreed in advance with the EPAO and employer
● The activity must be based on a real-life improvement to the apprentice’s employer and the people who use the services
● Examples of observed activities could include:
– Service development/improvement plans. For example, presenting or reporting on frontline delivery work in supporting those who use services to improve outcomes
– A response to regulatory and legislative requirements. For example, working with external partners, funders, stakeholders in the form of a meeting to plan for changes to service provision based on regulatory and legislative requirements arising from inspections
– Development of service provision, for example, in the form of presenting information or analysing data in relation to evidence-based practice to develop or improve the service provision
– Setting up new service provision, for example, presenting outcomes from market research in relation to an unmet need, financial viability and local strategic direction. This could include invitation to tender applications
● The observation must take 60 minutes. The post-observation question session will take 30 minutes and will follow the observation
● The apprentice will be asked a minimum of 4 questions following the observation
● Webinar or video conferencing software can be used if agreed in advance by the employer and EPAO
● The employer, apprentice and EPOA must comply with the requirements of the GDPR and all other safeguarding duties.
Professional Discussion
The professional discussion is an in-depth discussion between the apprentice and the end-point assessor.
● The professional discussion assessment time is 60 minutes
● The apprentice will be asked a minimum of 1 question from each of the following groups with follow up questions for clarity:
– Tasks and responsibilities
– Dignity and human rights
– Communication
– Safeguarding
– Health and wellbeing
– Professional development
– Leadership
● Webinar or video conferencing software can be used for the assessment.
Available Resources
- Training provider resource library
- EPA Specification (click to view)
- PAL Guide – Making the Apprenticeship Journey Successful (click to view)
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.