End Point Assessor - Apprenticeship - Sporting Excellence Professional

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 OFQUAL

Person Specification

Occupational Profile^[1]:

Sporting Excellence Professionals developed via this apprenticeship are competent to perform consistently and effectively in training environments and competitions in relation to one of the following professional sports: cricket, football, rugby league and rugby union. As such, they are part of a playing team supported and managed by a wider and multi-disciplinary team including a manager/coach, skills coaches, physiotherapists, psychologists, nutritionist, strength and conditioning experts, and educational staff etc.  They have high level of autonomy in terms of responsibility for what happens on the field of play and need to be able to cope with extreme pressure

Background and Experience (essential):

?       Have significant relevant practical experience developing players within the specific elite sports environment which may typically (but not always) be demonstrated by 5 or more years’ experience

?       Have significant relevant practical experience of working with players and coaches in the specific elite sports performance and talent development environments which may typically (but not always) be demonstrated by 5 or more years’ experience

?       Hold or be working towards an assessors qualification (A1 assessors award or TAQA qualification)

?       Hold a recognised sport specific coaching qualification at Level 3 or higher

?      Be approved or sanctioned by the relevant National Governing Body of sport

?       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

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

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