End Point Assessor - Apprenticeship - Early Years Educator 2020

This job is closed and is displayed for reference only. 

Reference:EY/EPA2020 

Closing date:09 November 2021 at midday 

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

Early Years Educators, and other job roles such as nursery nurse and childminders, are highly trained professionals who play a key role in ensuring that young children learn and develop well and are kept healthy and safe. They work in a range of settings including full day care, children’s centres, pre schools, reception classes and as childminders. They may either be working on their own or supervising others to deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) requirements set by Government for the learning, development and care of children from birth to 5 years old.

 

Background and Experience (essential):


Be occupationally competent of the early years educator sector

Qualified to at least the level of this standard

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

Hold a current DBS certificate. (Applicants applying for this role will will need to hold an Enhanced DBS (with or without a barred list check) that is registered for the update service or be issues within the last 12 months. Other supporting documents will also be required as evidence. Upon submission of an application, the Associate Recruitment team will be in touch to request DBS evidence and supporting documents. For further information on the DBS requirements please read the attached document titled DBS Guidelines for applicants)

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

  

Also please note that Pearson is currently recruiting for selected pathways only, pathways selected within the vacancy preference section of the form which are not current vacancies will not be considered.

 

Application Information