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This document explains the requirements for end-point assessment (EPA) for the legal technician - conveyancing technician or probate technician apprenticeship. End-point assessment organisations (EPAOs) must follow this when designing and delivering the EPA.
This apprenticeship has integrated qualifications which are used for EPA purposes.
The awarding body (AB) is accountable for the integrated assessment method. The end-point assessment organisation (EPAO) must take responsibility for the presentation with questions and answers and the interview. EPAOs and ABs must work collaboratively to manage the delivery of the EPA.
The Council for Licensed Conveyancers is one of the regulatory bodies for conveyancing and probate within the UK and specifies the qualifying requirements for conveyancing technician and probate technician. Those requirements are defined within the respective regulations for the Council for Licensed Conveyancers, Licensing Framework Section 1.
Legal technician - conveyancing technician or probate technician apprentices, their employers and training providers should read this document.
This is a core and options apprenticeship. An apprentice must be trained and assessed against the core and one option. The options are:
A full-time apprentice typically spends 24 months on-programme (this means in training before the gateway) working towards competence as a legal technician - conveyancing technician or probate technician. 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. An approved EPAO must conduct the EPA for this apprenticeship. Employers must work with the training provider to select an approved EPAO from the apprenticeship providers and assessment register (APAR). The integrated assessment method must be delivered by the qualifications awarding organisation. The EPAO and AB must be on the apprenticeship providers and assessment register (APAR).
This EPA has 3 assessment methods.
The grades available for each assessment method are:
Assessment method 1 - presentation with questions and answers:
Assessment method 2 - interview:
Assessment method 3 - integrated assessment method - case study:
The result from each assessment method is combined to decide the overall apprenticeship grade. The following grades are available for the apprenticeship:
The EPA will be taken within the EPA period. The EPA period begins when the EPAO confirms the gateway requirements are met and is typically 3 months.
The expectation is that the EPAO will confirm the gateway requirements are met and the EPA begins 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:
and one of the following:
The diploma in conveyancing law and practice is required for the conveyancing technician option.
The diploma in probate law and practice is required for the probate technician option.
Conveyancing technician option
Apprentices undertaking the Conveyancing technician option need to have undertaken and passed the Level 4 Diploma in Conveyancing Law and Practice modules excluding the module to be assessed in this plan.
The excluded module to be taken as part of this EPA is:
The modules to be taken on programme are as follows:
Conveyancing law and practice:
Probate technician option
Apprentices undertaking the Probate technician option need to have undertaken and passed the Level 4 Diploma in Probate Law and Practice modules excluding the module to be assessed in this plan.
The excluded module to be taken as part of this EPA is:
The modules to be taken on programme are as follows:
The apprentice must submit any policies and procedures as requested by the EPAO.
The presentation with questions and answers and the interview assessment methods must be delivered before the integrated qualification element (case study).
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.
This assessment method is being used because the occupation of legal technician requires the ability to articulate complex legal concepts, problems and solutions to clients.
A written or test method would not be appropriate as the apprenticeship already includes an integrated qualification which is highly challenging. There is little headroom in this employer environment to allow time to complete a project as the work is fast-paced, and so any lengthy methods may work to the detriment of users of the apprenticeship. Observation or practical demonstration in the workplace is not an effective use of costly assessor resource and would generate confidentiality challenges as legal technicians deal with clients.
The presentation with Q&A method allows candidates to talk coherently about the technical aspects that matter to them within their work by focusing on customer experience which is critical to competence but cannot be effectively tested in an exam to the same extent.
The presentation with questions and answers 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: - an example of a client interaction undertaken by the apprentice within the business after the gateway period has commenced.
the interaction and presentation must include the following topics:
- taking new instruction from a client
- identification of client needs
- know your customer activity and assessment of client care
- initial actions taken such as anti-money laundering checks, source of funds and wealth checks, sanctions checks
- the scale and scope of the legal matter
- risks
- potential solutions.
The presentation should be delivered as if to a member of the general public including explanations of legal terms as necessary.
The purpose of the presentation is to allow the apprentice to demonstrate their competence against the grading descriptors.
The apprentice must submit any presentation materials to the EPAO by the end of week 4 of the EPA period. The apprentice must notify the EPAO, at that point, of any technical requirements for the presentation. Any information which could identify the client, must be anonymised.
During the presentation, the apprentice must have access to:
The independent assessor must have at least 2 weeks 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 21 days' notice of the presentation assessment.
The independent assessor must ask questions after the presentation.
The purpose of the questions is to assess the level of competence against the grading descriptors.
The presentation and questions must last 30 minutes. This will typically include a presentation of 15 minutes and questioning lasting 15 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 3 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 apprentice may choose to end any 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 any 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 any assessment early.
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 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 can be delivered remotely 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.
Whether the presentation with questions is delivered face-to-face or remotely, it should take place in a quiet room, free from distractions and influence.
The presentation with questions and answers 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 with questions and answers:
The EPAO must ensure that the EPA materials are subject to quality assurance procedures including standardisation and moderation.
In the interview, an independent assessor asks the apprentice questions. It gives the apprentice the opportunity to demonstrate the KSBs mapped to this assessment method.
This assessment method is being used because:
The interview 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 interview.
Administration of legal activities for conveyancing or probate.
The EPAO must give an apprentice 21 days' notice of the interview.
The interview must last for 30 minutes. The independent assessor can increase the time of the interview 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 5 questions. The independent assessor 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 apprentice may take notes to aid their recall into the interview. These are not scored.
The apprentice may choose to end any 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 any 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 any assessment early.
The independent assessor must make the grading decision.
The independent assessor must keep accurate records of the assessment. They must record:
The interview must take place in a suitable venue selected by the EPAO for example, the EPAO’s or employer’s premises.
The interview 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 interview 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 interview:
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 and graded by the awarding body or their delegated person or organisation and contribute to the overall outcome of the apprenticeship and the qualification.
The KSBs aligned to this assessment method will be assessed by the apprentice passing one of the qualifications listed below in relation to their chosen option:
Either:
Council for Licensed Conveyancers Level 4 Diploma - Conveyancing Law and Practice
OR
Council for Licensed Conveyancers Probate Level 4 Diploma - The Administration of Estates
In the case study, the apprentice completes a structured case study exercise set by the AB or related parties in the workplace. It gives the apprentice the opportunity to demonstrate the knowledge and skills mapped to this assessment method
This assessment method is being used because:
The delivery of the case study must align with the conditions set out by the Awarding Body (AB) for the integrated qualification.
The AB must develop a purpose-built assessment specification. It is recommended this is done in consultation with employers or subject matter experts for this occupation.
The AB should maintain the security and confidentiality of EPA materials when consulting with employers.
The assessment specification 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 EPAO must ensure that case studies are refined and developed to a high standard.
The AB must ensure that the apprentice has a different case study in the case of re-sits or re-takes.
The AB must produce the following materials to support the case study:
The AB must ensure that the materials are subject to quality assurance procedures including standardisation and moderation.
Performance in the EPA determines the overall grade of:
An independent assessor must individually grade the presentation with questions and answers, interview and integrated assessment method - case study in line with this EPA plan.
The EPAO must combine the individual assessment method grades to determine the overall EPA grade.
If the apprentice fails one assessment method or more, 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 pass in the integrated method (case study), a pass in one of the remaining assessment methods and a distinction in the other assessment method. To achieve an overall EPA distinction, the apprentice must achieve a pass in the diploma and a distinction in both remaining assessment methods.
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.
The employer and EPAO agree the timescale for a re-sit or re-take of the presentation with questions and answers or the interview. For the integrated qualification, arrangements should be made between the candidate and the delivery centre. 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 2 months of the EPA outcome notification.
If the apprentice fails the presentation with questions and answers assessment method, they must amend the presentation in line with the independent assessor’s feedback. The apprentice will be given 4 weeks to rework and resubmit the amended presentation before the question and answer session.
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 distinction for a re-sit or re-take, unless the EPAO determines there are exceptional circumstances.
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 must have in place to ensure valid, consistent and reliable EPA decisions.
EPAOs for this EPA must adhere to the requirements within the roles and responsibilities table.
They must also appoint independent assessors who:
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | Approved for delivery | 03/01/2024 | Not set |
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