This occupational standard is a revision of the L5 HR Consultant Partner and was renamed People Professional as part of the revision process. The People Professional was approved for delivery of new starts on 28th September 2023 and the HR Consultant Partner was retired for new starts on 27th September 2023 (there should not be any starts on the retired standard from that date). All individuals currently on the L5 HR Consultant Partner will complete this apprenticeship.
V1.3
This document explains the requirements for end-point assessment (EPA) for the people professional apprenticeship. This apprenticeship has an integrated qualification which means both the qualification and apprenticeship need to be completed, passed and awarded during the same period.
The awarding body (AB) is accountable for the integrated assessment method. The end-point assessment organisation (EPAO) must take responsibility for all other assessment methods in the EPA. EPAOs and ABs must work collaboratively to manage the delivery of the EPA.
People professional apprentices, their employers and training providers should read this document.
A full-time people professional apprentice typically spends 22 months on-programme. The apprentice must spend at least 12 months on-programme and complete the required amount of off-the-job training in line with the apprenticeship funding rules.
The EPA should be completed within an EPA period lasting typically 3 months.
The apprentice must complete their training and meet the gateway requirements before starting their EPA. The EPA will assess occupational competence.
An approved EPAO must conduct the EPA for this apprenticeship. Employers must select an approved EPAO from the apprenticeship provider and assessment register (APAR). The integrated assessment method must be delivered by the qualification’s awarding body.
Occupational competence is outlined by the EPA grade descriptors. The integrated assessment method must be marked by the centre and moderated by the awarding body, The EPA outcome is determined by the EPAO. The EPAO must combine the outcomes of integrated and non-integrated assessment methods to determine the apprentice’s overall grade.
This EPA has 3 assessment methods.
The grades available for each assessment method are below.
Assessment method 1 - Presentation and questioning:
Assessment method 2 - Professional discussion underpinned by a portfolio of evidence:
Assessment method 3 - Assignment:
The result from each assessment method is combined to decide the overall apprenticeship grade. The following grades are available for the apprenticeship:
The EPA is taken in the EPA period. The EPA period starts when the EPAO confirms the gateway requirements have been met and is typically 3 months.
The EPAO should confirm the gateway requirements have been met and start the EPA as quickly as possible.
The apprentice’s employer must be content that the apprentice is occupationally competent. That is, they are deemed to be working at or above the level set out in the apprenticeship standard and ready to undertake the EPA. The employer may take advice from the apprentice's training provider, but the employer must make the decision. The apprentice will then enter the gateway.
The apprentice must meet the gateway requirements before starting their EPA.
They must:
The presentation scoping brief is a 500-word synopsis of their presentation. To ensure the presentation allows the apprentice to meet the KSBs mapped to this assessment method to the highest available grade, the EPAO should sign-off the presentation's scoping brief at the gateway to confirm it is suitable.
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Portfolio of evidence requirements:
The apprentice must compile a portfolio of evidence during the on-programme period of the apprenticeship. It should only contain evidence related to the KSBs that will be assessed by this assessment method. It will typically contain 8 discrete pieces of evidence. Evidence must be mapped against the KSBs. Evidence may be used to demonstrate more than one KSB; a qualitative as opposed to quantitative approach is suggested.
Evidence sources may include:
This is not a definitive list; other evidence sources can be included.
The portfolio of evidence should not include reflective accounts or any methods of self-assessment. Any employer contributions should focus on direct observation of performance for example, witness statements rather than opinions. The evidence provided should be valid and attributable to the apprentice; the portfolio of evidence should contain a statement from the employer and apprentice confirming this.
The EPAO should not assess the portfolio of evidence directly as it underpins the discussion. The independent assessor should review the portfolio of evidence to prepare questions for the discussion. They are not required to provide feedback after this review.
Gateway evidence must be submitted to the EPAO, along with any organisation specific policies and procedures requested by the EPAO.
The assessment methods must be delivered in the following order:
The integrated assessment method must be delivered after non-integrated assessment methods have been attempted.
In the presentation with questions, the apprentice delivers a presentation to an independent assessor on a set subject. The independent assessor must ask questions after the presentation. It gives the apprentice the opportunity to demonstrate the KSBs mapped to this assessment method.
Setting the presentation scoping brief at the gateway ensures the reliability and validity of the EPA and the presentation must be completed post-gateway and agreeing the presentation scoping brief as a gateway requirement should support this.
The presentation should be sent to the independent assessor at the end of week 5. The independent assessor should then devise questions.
The presentation scoping brief should be 500 words and give an overview of the apprentice suggested presentation topic. It will need to be signed off by the EPAO. Once the presentation topic has been agreed by EPAO the apprentice has 4 weeks to develop the presentation.
This assessment method is being used because the presentation will allow the apprentice to demonstrate their knowledge, skills and behaviours relating to the KSBs assigned to this assessment method, allowing the independent assessor to draw these out, and to assess performance against the distinction criteria. Questions and answers following the presentation must seek to assess KSBs not evidenced through the presentation and depth of understanding to assess performance against the distinction criteria.
The presentation and questioning must be structured to give the apprentice the opportunity to demonstrate the KSBs mapped to this assessment method to the highest available grade.
An independent assessor must conduct and assess the presentation with questions.
The presentation must cover a summary of their role as a people professional and what they do and how this is relevant to their role and organisation. It should focus on how they tackle:
The list above is not exhaustive, but the EPAO should sign off the presentation scoping brief to confirm its suitability at the gateway.
The presentation should be structured and would be expected to include the following headings:
The purpose of the presentation is to allow the apprentice to demonstrate their competence against the grading descriptors in the following themes:
The apprentice must submit any presentation materials to the EPAO by the end of week 5 of the EPA period. The apprentice must notify the EPAO, at that point, of any technical requirements for the presentation.
During the presentation, the apprentice must have access to:
The independent assessor must have at least 1 week to review any presentation materials, before the presentation is delivered by the apprentice, to allow them to prepare questions. The EPAO must give the apprentice at least 1 week's notice of the presentation.
The independent assessor must ask questions after the presentation.
A minimum of 2 questions should be asked for each of the following themes:
The presentation and questions must last 50 minutes. This will typically include a presentation of 20 minutes and questioning lasting 30 minutes. The independent assessor must use the full time available for questioning. The independent assessor can increase the total time of the presentation and questioning by up to 10%. This time is to allow the apprentice to complete their last point or respond to a question if necessary.
The independent assessor must ask at least 6 questions. They must use the questions from the EPAO’s question bank or create their own questions in line with the EPAO’s training. Follow up questions are allowed where clarification is required.
The independent assessor must make the grading decision. The independent assessor must assess the presentation and answers to questions holistically when deciding the grade.
The independent assessor must keep accurate records of the assessment. They must record:
The apprentice may choose to end the assessment method early. The apprentice must be confident they have demonstrated competence against the assessment requirements for the assessment method. The independent assessor or EPAO must ensure the apprentice is fully aware of all assessment requirements. The independent assessor or EPAO cannot suggest or choose to end the assessment methods early, unless in an emergency. The EPAO is responsible for ensuring the apprentice understands the implications of ending an assessment early if they choose to do so. The independent assessor may suggest the assessment continues. The independent assessor must document the apprentice’s request to end the assessment early.
The presentation with questions must take place in a suitable venue selected by the EPAO for example, the EPAO’s or employer’s premises. The presentation with questions should take place in a quiet room, free from distractions and influence.
The presentation and questioning can be conducted by video conferencing. The EPAO must have processes in place to verify the identity of the apprentice and ensure the apprentice is not being aided.
The EPAO must develop a purpose-built assessment specification and question bank. It is recommended this is done in consultation with employers of this occupation. The EPAO must maintain the security and confidentiality of EPA materials when consulting with employers. The assessment specification and question bank must be reviewed at least once a year to ensure they remain fit-for-purpose.
The assessment specification must be relevant to the occupation and demonstrate how to assess the KSBs mapped to this assessment method. The EPAO must ensure that questions are refined and developed to a high standard. The questions must be unpredictable. A question bank of sufficient size will support this.
The EPAO must ensure that the apprentice has a different set of questions in the case of re-sits or re-takes.
The EPAO must produce the following materials to support the presentation and questioning:
The EPAO must ensure that the EPA materials are subject to quality assurance procedures including standardisation and moderation.
In the professional discussion, an independent assessor and apprentice have a formal two-way conversation. It gives the apprentice the opportunity to demonstrate the KSBs mapped to this assessment method.
The apprentice can refer to and illustrate their answers with evidence from their portfolio of evidence.
This assessment method is being used because:
The professional discussion must be structured to give the apprentice the opportunity to demonstrate the KSBs mapped to this assessment method to the highest available grade.
An independent assessor must conduct and assess the professional discussion.
The purpose of the independent assessor's questions will be to draw out the best of the apprentice’s competence and excellence.
A minimum of 2 questions will be asked for each of the following themes:
A minimum of 1 question will be asked for each of the following themes:
The EPAO must give an apprentice 2 weeks' notice of the professional discussion.
The independent assessor must have at least 2 weeks to review the supporting documentation.
The apprentice must have access to their portfolio of evidence during the professional discussion.
The apprentice can refer to and illustrate their answers with evidence from their portfolio of evidence however, the portfolio of evidence is not directly assessed.
The professional discussion must last for 75 minutes. The independent assessor can increase the time of the professional discussion by up to 10%. This time is to allow the apprentice to respond to a question if necessary.
The independent assessor must ask at least 7 questions. The independent assessor must use the questions from the EPAO’s question bank.
The independent assessor must make the grading decision.
The independent assessor must keep accurate records of the assessment. They must record:
The apprentice may choose to end the assessment method early. The apprentice must be confident they have demonstrated competence against the assessment requirements for the assessment method. The independent assessor or EPAO must ensure the apprentice is fully aware of all assessment requirements. The independent assessor or EPAO cannot suggest or choose to end the assessment methods early, unless in an emergency. The EPAO is responsible for ensuring the apprentice understands the implications of ending an assessment early if they choose to do so. The independent assessor may suggest the assessment continues. The independent assessor must document the apprentice’s request to end the assessment early.
The professional discussion must take place in a suitable venue selected by the EPAO for example, the EPAO’s or employer’s premises.
The professional discussion can be conducted by video conferencing. The EPAO must have processes in place to verify the identity of the apprentice and ensure the apprentice is not being aided.
The professional discussion should take place in a quiet room, free from distractions and influence.
The EPAO must develop a purpose-built assessment specification and question bank. It is recommended this is done in consultation with employers of this occupation. The EPAO must maintain the security and confidentiality of EPA materials when consulting with employers. The assessment specification and question bank must be reviewed at least once a year to ensure they remain fit-for-purpose.
The assessment specification must be relevant to the occupation and demonstrate how to assess the KSBs mapped to this assessment method. The EPAO must ensure that questions are refined and developed to a high standard. The questions must be unpredictable. A question bank of sufficient size will support this.
The EPAO must ensure that the apprentice has a different set of questions in the case of re-sits or re-takes.
The EPAO must produce the following materials to support the professional discussion underpinned by a portfolio of evidence:
The EPAO must ensure that the EPA materials are subject to quality assurance procedures including standardisation and moderation.
This is an integrated assessment method. This integrated assessment method forms part of the apprenticeship’s EPA as well as the awarding of the qualification.
The KSBs aligned to this integrated assessment method will be assessed by the approved centre and moderated by the awarding body which will then contribute to the overall outcome of the apprenticeship and the qualification.
The assignment for unit 5CO03 is the integrated assessment method and must be the final assessed unit for the L5 Associate Diploma in People Management qualification.
An assignment involves the apprentice answering set questions that align with the requirements of the integrated qualification.
This assessment method is being used because:
• it provides an opportunity to assess the apprentice’s ability to diagnose professional behaviours and valuing people.
• it complements the other two assessment methods.
• it is delivered as an assignment, recognising this is a management level to the occupation, and employers’ own experiences that apprentice people professionals will be suited to answering questions about scenarios.
• it reduces the assessment burden on the apprentice.
The assignment must give the apprentice the opportunity to demonstrate the KSBs mapped to this assessment method. The apprentice must sign a declaration of authenticity to state that the written responses are their own work and where they have used materials from other sources, they have been properly acknowledged. Plagiarism software must be used to assess the authenticity of the work when marked and moderated.
The delivery of the assignment for unit 5CO03 must align with the conditions set out by the awarding body (CIPD) for the integrated qualification. An approved centre is one that has been approved by CIPD to deliver the Level 5 Associate Diploma in People Management qualification. An approved centre is responsible for delivering the KSBs for the unit pre-gateway within their own delivery schedule for the course and for marking the assignment post gateway.
The apprentice must start and complete the assignment post-gateway. The apprentice will typically submit their assignment by the end of week 6 of the EPA period. The awarding body (CIPD) must give the approved centre sufficient notice of key dates for submissions. The centre must not claim unit 5CO03 until the other two assessment methods have been attempted.
The assignment can be submitted electronically, or paper based.
To ensure marking judgements are fair and accurate, and uphold the principles of the EPA, the marking of all integrated or parts of the integrated assessments, ideally be marked or graded by someone independent. This means that they must be independent as far as possible within the centre. An approved centre will deliver and mark the assignment in line with the awarding body's policies and procedures.
The independent assessor must keep accurate records of the assessment. They must record:
The responsibility for the marking of the assignment is with the centre that has been approved to deliver the Level 5 Associate Diploma in People Management qualification and will be in line with the awarding body’s (CIPD) polices and procedures. The awarding body (CIPD) must produce a marking scheme to be followed by the approved centre. The awarding body (CIPD) is responsible for quality assurance, standardisation and moderation of the assignment and ratifying the final results of the integrated unit 5CO03.
The approved centre will mark the assessment 5CO03 post-gateway in line with the assignment brief and following the awarding body (CIPD) marking schemes. The awarding body (CIPD) will follow usual moderation and quality assurance procedures. The awarding body (CIPD) must ensure a third party agreement exists and ensure a process is agreed with the approved centre. The awarding body (CIPD) will make the results available according to the published moderation schedule. The approved centre should share the moderated results with the EPAO as soon as possible. The EPAO must receive assessment results in a timely manner to enable the EPAO to determine and publish overall grade of the EPA.
The awarding body must develop a purpose-built assessment specification and question bank. It is recommended this is done in consultation with employers of this occupation. They should maintain the security and confidentiality of EPA materials when consulting with employers. The assessment specification and question bank must be reviewed to ensure they remain fit-for-purpose.
The assessment specification must be relevant to the occupation and demonstrate how to assess the KSBs mapped to this assessment method. The awarding body must ensure that questions and the specification are refined and developed to a high standard. The questions must be unpredictable. A question bank of sufficient size will support this.
The awarding body must produce the following materials to support the assignment:
The awarding body must ensure that the EPA materials are subject to quality assurance procedures including standardisation and moderation.
Performance in the EPA determines the overall grade of:
An independent assessor must grade the presentation with questioning and the professional discussion underpinned by a portfolio of evidence in line with this EPA plan.
The EPAO must combine the individual assessment methods to determine the overall EPA grade.
If the apprentice fails one or more assessment methods, they will be awarded an overall fail.
To achieve an overall pass, the apprentice must achieve at least a pass in all the assessment methods. To achieve an overall EPA merit, the apprentice must achieve a minimum award of distinction in either the presentation with questioning or profession discussion underpinned by aportfolio and a pass in the other methods. To achieve an overall EPA distinction, the apprentice must achieve a distinction in both the presentation with questioning and profession discussion underpinned by a portfolio.
Grades from individual assessment methods must be combined in the following way to determine the grade of the EPA overall.
If the apprentice fails one or more assessment methods, they can take a re-sit or a re-take at their employer’s discretion. The apprentice’s employer needs to agree that a re-sit or re-take is appropriate. A re-sit does not need further learning, whereas a re-take does.
The apprentice should have a supportive action plan to prepare for a re-sit or a re-take.
Non-integrated assessment methods must be attempted before the integrated assessment method is attempted. The re-sit or re-take opportunities for the integrated assessment method must fall within the typical EPA period timeframes. This is to ensure that apprentices are not disadvantaged by the assessment of qualifications being available within an assessment window occurring once a year.
The employer and EPAO agree the timescale for a re-sit or re-take. A re-sit is typically taken within 2 months of the EPA outcome notification. The timescale for a re-take is dependent on how much re-training is required and is typically taken within 4 months of the EPA outcome notification.
If the apprentice fails the presentation and questioning, they must amend the presentation in line with the independent assessor's feedback. The apprentice will be given 3 weeks to rework and submit the amended presentation. The independent assessor will have 1 week to review the presentation. The apprentice must have 5 days’ notice of the presentation date. Alternatively, the apprentice can choose to complete a new presentation scope and presentation in which case which must be approved by the EPAO in advance of work beginning. Once approval is received from the EPAO, the apprentice has a further 4 weeks to develop their presentation.
Failed assessment methods must be re-sat or re-taken within a 6-month period from the EPA outcome notification, otherwise the entire EPA will need to be re-sat or re-taken in full.
Re-sits and re-takes are not offered to an apprentice wishing to move from pass to a higher grade.
The apprentice will get a maximum EPA grade of merit for a re-sit or re-take, unless the EPAO determines there are exceptional circumstances.
Reasonable adjusments
The EPAO and AB must have reasonable adjustments arrangements for the EPA.
This should include:
Adjustments must maintain the validity, reliability and integrity of the EPA as outlined in this EPA plan.
Special considerations
The EPAO and AB must have special consideration arrangements for the EPA.
This should include:
Special considerations must maintain the validity, reliability and integrity of the EPA as outlined in this EPA plan.
Internal quality assurance refers to the strategies, policies and procedures that an EPAO and AB must have in place to ensure valid, consistent and reliable EPA decisions.
EPAOs and ABs for this EPA must adhere to the requirements within the roles and responsibilities table.
They must also appoint independent assessors who:
hold a recognised human resource qualification at level 5 or above
Affordability of the EPA will be aided by using at least some of the following:
This apprenticeship aligns with:
| Version | Change detail | Earliest start date | Latest start date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.3 | Occupational standard, end-point assessment plan and funding band revised. | 28/09/2023 | Not set |
| 1.2 | Standard revised | 07/03/2023 | 27/09/2023 |
| 1.1 | The funding band for this standard has been reviewed as part of the apprenticeship funding band review. The new funding band is £7000. Typical duration changed from 36 months to 19 months on 30/05/2022 | 05/07/2019 | 06/03/2023 |
| 1.0 | Approved for delivery | 18/08/2017 | 04/07/2019 |
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