End-Point Assessment (EPA) update - December 2021
EPA Flexibilities and EPA Discretions
With recent announcements from IFATE over the flexibilities and discretions applicable to End-Point Assessments, we would like to draw your attention to what will continue into 2022.
The following flexibilities will be retained as options to use beyond 1 January 2022:
- Observations taking place in simulated environments
- Remote delivery of assessment (including invigilation)
- Pauses being allowed between assessment methods during end-point assessment period
- Assessments taking place outside of usual venues
- Delivery of assessment methods in any order (when a specified order is in the assessment plan)
- Exams/tests beinh online instead of on paper (where originally specified as paper-based only)
- Gateway sign off being done remotely (where originally specified as having to be face to face).
The following flexibilities will not be retained and so switched off on the 31 December 2021:
- Changes being made to who sits on the EPA interview/discussion panel (when someone in addition to the independent assessor is specified)
- Allowing other suitable evidence of achievements being used in replacement of functional skills qualifications at gateway (other mandated qualifications are covered under temporary discretions)
- Extension to the length of the end-point assessment period (where specified)
EPA Discretions:
| Standard | COVID Dispensation Status |
|---|---|
| Adult Care Worker | Extended until further notice |
| Assessor Coach | Not applicable |
| Business Administrator | Maintain remote assessment |
| Children, Young People and Families Practitioner | Not applicable |
| Customer Service Practitioner | Extended until further notice |
| Customer Service Specialist | Extended until further notice |
| Digital Marketer | Not applicable |
| Dual Fuel Smart Meter Installer | Extended until further notice |
| Healthcare Support Worker | Extended until further notice |
| Healthcare Assistant Practitioner | Extended until further notice |
| Large Goods Vehicle | Extended until 30 June 2022 |
| Lead Adult Care Worker | Extended until 30 June 2022 |
| Lead Practitioner in Adult Care | Extended until further notice |
| Leader in Adult Care | Not applicable |
| Learning Mentor | Extended until 30 June 2022 |
| Mammography Associate | Extended until further notice |
| Network Cable Installer | Not applicable |
| Operations Departmental Manager | Maintain remote assessment |
| Pharmacy Services Assistant | Not applicable |
| Pharmacy Technician (Integrated) | Not applicable |
| Senior Healthcare Support Worker | Extended until further notice |
| Sporting Excellence Professional | Extended until further notice |
| Supply Chain Operator | Removed on 31 December 2021 |
| Supply Chain Warehouse Operative | Removed on 31 December 2021 |
| Systems Engineering | Not applicable |
| Team Leader Supervisor | Maintain remote assessment |
| Telecoms Field Operative | Not applicable |
*Not applicable denotes no discretion was applied
Where a discretion has been removed, and an apprentice is due to be assessed from 1 January 2022, they will be assessed against the original end-point assessment plan.
Any end-point assessments that begin prior to the end of December 2021 but are completed in January 2022 can continue to make use of the temporary COVID-19 discretion.
If you have any questions or queries, please feel free to email epadelivery@pearson.com
