Reference:EPA/DLDL5 

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Job description: Independent end-point assessor  - Digital Learning Designer L5

About Pearson

Pearson is the world's leading learning company, with 35,000 employees in more than 70 countries working to help people of all ages to make measurable progress in their lives through learning. We put the apprentice at the centre of everything we do, because wherever learning flourishes, so do people. Find out more about how we can help you and your learners at qualifications.pearson.com

Overview of the independent end-point assessor role

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 deciding 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, or remotely, on dates agreed with employers and/or providers if appropriate. Independent end-point assessors 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 these EPAs will be qualified IQAs 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 independent end-point assessor will:

●     Take part in regular training and standardisation activities, associated with the role of independent end-point assessor 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

●     Allow additional time for travel, when making EPA arrangements

●     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 the Institute for Apprenticeships (IfA).

Person Specification

Digital learning designers are experts in adult learning and have specialist skills in educational technologies. They design and develop a range of products and initiatives, such as online courses, interactive multimedia, and virtual simulations, to address a wide range of educational and business needs

The broad purpose of the occupation is to scope, design, develop, and maintain digital learning materials and provisions for educational and professional development programmes, courses, and other learning initiatives. Employees in this occupation work with a range of stakeholders, including internal or external subject experts, clients, academics, learning and development, and technology professionals. They engage with organisational and sector insights, research and performance data, and consult with learners and other stakeholders, to define the learning context and requirements, and design and develop digital learning designs within an appropriate learning model or framework. They support and advise upon the use and implementation of learning technologies to facilitate learning and assessment strategies. Digital learning designers act as subject matter experts in approaches to learning with digital technologies. This includes good practice and research-informed approaches to how humans learn and how this knowledge can be leveraged with appropriate learning technologies. They provide contextually relevant guidance on enhancing the learner experience, complying with legal and professional standards, such as accessibility, and evaluating and improving the effectiveness of learning systems. Their services may be required as an internal resource and/or as part of an external commercial, non-profit, or public service. They coordinate various aspects of different digital learning projects with a focus on enhancing and improving learner experience and achieving intended learning outcomes. Digital Learning Designers maximise platform configuration and the use of established and emerging technologies, to achieve the best outcome for learners and their organisations. They may align digital learning programmes of study, content, and experiences with professional or qualification frameworks. Digital learning designers actively engage with relevant communities of practice and maintain their professional skillset through research and continual professional development.

Occupational Profiles^[1]:

Background and Experience (essential):

·         have recent relevant experience of the occupation or sector to at least occupational level 4 gained in the last 3 years or significant experience of the occupation or sector

·         hold, or are working towards, an assessor qualification

·         have professional body membership with:

              The Association for Learning Technology

●     (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):

●     Experience of Marking or grading Judgements

●     Experience in

Skills & Knowledge (Essential)

●    Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal skills, including the ability to effectively respond to conflicts

●    Knowledge of relevant legislation, codes of practice

●    Sufficient and relevant technical knowledge of the industry:

●    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

●     Attend standardisation events.

Application Options

To take advantage of this opportunity complete our online application

If you have any further queries, or you need any additional support with your application, please contact the Associate Helpdesk team via the Pearson Support Portal.