1.1
This document explains the requirements for end-point assessment (EPA) for the custody and detention professional apprenticeship. End-point assessment organisations (EPAOs) must follow this when designing and delivering the EPA.
Custody and detention professional apprentices, their employers and training providers should read this document.
An approved EPAO must conduct the EPA for this apprenticeship. Employers must select an approved EPAO from the Education and Skills Funding Agency’s Register of end-point assessment organisations (RoEPAO).
A full-time apprentice typically spends 12 months on-programme (this means in training before the gateway) working towards competence as a custody and detention professional. All apprentices must spend at least 12 months on-programme. All apprentices must complete the required amount of off-the-job training specified by the apprenticeship funding rules.
This EPA has 2 assessment methods.
The grades available for each assessment method are:
Assessment method 1 - long-answer scenario questions:
Assessment method 2 - professional discussion underpinned by a portfolio of evidence:
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 expectation is that the EPAO will confirm the gateway requirements have been met and the EPA starts as quickly as possible.
The apprentice’s employer must confirm that they think their apprentice is working at or above the occupational standard. The apprentice will then enter the gateway. The employer may take advice from the apprentice's training provider(s), but the employer must make the decision.
The apprentice must meet the gateway requirements before starting their EPA.
These are:
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 12 discrete pieces of evidence. A mandatory requirement is that the apprentice must submit 2 redacted reports. 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:
workplace documentation and records, for example:
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.
The apprentice must submit any policies and procedures as requested by the EPAO.
The assessment methods can be delivered in any order.
The result of one assessment method does not need to be known before starting the next.
A test is an assessment for asking questions in a controlled and invigilated environment.
This assessment method is being used because open-ended, scenario-based questions allow the apprentice to demonstrate competence in a range of KSB’s. The apprentice will be able to demonstrate how they would apply their knowledge and skills to a range of scenarios. Due to the nature of the workplaces that apprentices will be employed in, it would not be appropriate to conduct in person observation due to the security risk factors associated with this.
This method must be appropriately structured to give the apprentice the opportunity to demonstrate the KSBs mapped to this assessment method to the highest available grade.
The long-answer scenario questions can be computer or paper based.
The long-answer scenario questions will consist of 10 long response written questions. Long-answer questions need a written response of typically 1-2 paragraphs, around 200 words.
The questions must be on the following themes:
The apprentice must be given at least 10 days notice of the date and time of the long-answer scenario questions.
The apprentice must have 90 minutes to complete the test.
The long-answer scenario questions is closed book which means that the apprentice cannot refer to reference books or materials whilst taking the test.
The long-answer scenario questions must be taken in the presence of an invigilator who is the responsibility of the EPAO. Specialised (proctor) software can be used if the test can be taken on-line, to ensure the security of the test.
The EPAO must have an invigilation policy setting out how the long-answer scenario questions must be conducted. It must state the ratio of apprentices to invigilators for the setting and allow the test to take place in a secure way.
The EPAO must verify the identity of the apprentice.
The EPAO is responsible for the security of the long-answer scenario questions including the arrangements for on-line testing. The EPAO must ensure that their security arrangements maintain the validity and reliability of the long-answer scenario questions.
The long-answer scenario questions must be marked by independent assessors or markers employed by the EPAO. They must follow a marking scheme produced by the EPAO. Marking by computer is allowed where question types support this.
The EPAO must develop a marking scheme based on the grading descriptors for this assessment method. The EPAO is responsible for overseeing the marking of the long-answer scenario questions. The EPAO must ensure standardisation and the moderation of written response tests.
The apprentices must take the long-answer scenario questions in a suitably controlled and invigilated environment that is a quiet room, free from distractions and influence. The EPAO must check the venue is suitable.
The long-answer scenario questions could take place remotely if the appropriate technology and systems are in place to prevent malpractice. The EPAO must verify the apprentice’s identity and ensure invigilation of the apprentice for example with, and not limited to, 360-degree cameras and screen sharing facilities.
The EPAO must write a test specification and question bank. The specification must be relevant to the occupation and demonstrate how to assess the KSBs mapped to this assessment method. It is recommended this is done in consultation with employers of this occupation. The EPAO should maintain the security and confidentiality of EPA materials when consulting employers. The questions must be unpredictable. A question bank of sufficient size will support this. The test specification and questions must be reviewed at least once a year to ensure they remain fit-for-purpose.
The EPAO must develop purpose-built question banks and ensure that appropriate quality assurance procedures are in place, for example, considering previous item performance data, item analysis, standardisation, training and moderation. EPAOs must ensure that questions are refined and developed to a high standard.
The EPAO must ensure that 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 long-answer scenario questions:
In the discussion, an independent assessor and apprentice have a formal two-way conversation.
The apprentice can refer to and illustrate their answers with evidence from their portfolio of evidence. It gives the apprentice the opportunity to demonstrate their competency across the KSBs mapped to this EPA method.
This assessment method is being used because there are a range of different custody and detention organisations who will be using this standard and this assessment method will allow the EPAO to tailor the questions to enrich the apprentice's journey and give the apprentice the best opportunity to showcase their knowledge, skills and behaviours learnt throughout the apprenticeship. This method is appropriate to allow apprentices to elaborate on themes in a manner relevant to their custody & detention organisation.
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 assess the following themes:
The discussion will explore evidence for areas of the standard that are best assessed verbally, due to the broad and complex nature of those areas, particularly the skills and behaviours and allow the apprentice to draw out contextualised examples, further clarify KSBs demonstrated in the portfolio of evidence, and discuss KSBs that may be showcased over time and therefore are not naturally occurring in every workplace.
The EPAO must give an apprentice 14 days notice of the professional discussion.
The independent assessor must have at least 2 week(s) 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 90 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 10 questions. Follow-up questions are allowed where clarification is required. The independent assessor must use the questions from their EPAO’s question bank or create their own questions in-line with the EPAO’s training.
The independent assessor must make the grading decision. The independent assessor must keep accurate records of the assessment. They must record:
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 should maintain the security and confidentiality of EPA materials when consulting 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, training, and moderation.
The assessment methods contribute equally to the overall EPA pass grade.
Performance in the EPA will determine the apprenticeship grade of:
Independent assessors must individually grade the: long-answer scenario questions and professional discussion underpinned by a portfolio of evidence according to the requirements set out in this EPA plan.
EPAOs must combine the individual assessment method grades to determine the overall EPA grade.
An apprentice who fails one or more assessment method will be awarded an overall EPA "fail".
An apprentice must achieve at least a pass in all the assessment methods to get an overall pass. To achieve an overall EPA ‘pass,’ the apprentice must achieve a pass in both assessment methods. To achieve an overall EPA ‘distinction,’ the apprentice must achieve a distinction in both assessment methods.
Grades from individual assessment methods should be combined in the following way to determine the grade of the EPA overall.
An apprentice who fails one or more assessment method(s) 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.
An apprentice should have a supportive action plan to prepare for a re-sit or a re-take.
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 3 months of the EPA outcome notification.
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.
An apprentice will get a maximum EPA grade of pass for a re-sit or re-take, unless the EPAO determines there are exceptional circumstances.
The EPAO 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.
Internal quality assurance refers to how the EPAO ensures valid, consistent and reliable EPA decisions. The EPAO must adhere to the requirements within the roles and responsibilities section and:
Affordability of the EPA will be aided by using at least some of the following:
Professional body recognition is not relevant to this occupational apprenticeship.
| Version | Change detail | Earliest start date | Latest start date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.1 | End-point assessment plan, standard and funding revised. | 06/04/2023 | Not set |
| 1.0 | Approved for delivery | 08/05/2018 | 05/04/2023 |
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