End Point Assessor - Apprenticeship - Sports Coach (Midlands and Yorkshire Region)
About Pearson
We value the power of inclusive culture and embed diversity and inclusion in everything we do. Pearson promotes a company culture where differences are embraced as strengths, opportunities are equal and accessible, consideration and respect are the norm. Through our talent, we believe that diversity and inclusion make us a more innovative and vibrant company. People are at the centre of our company. We are committed to a sustainable environment and workplace ecosystem where talent can learn, grow, and thrive. We provide content, assessment and digital services to learners, educational institutions, employers, governments and other partners globally. We are the UK's largest awarding body and offer qualifications that are globally recognised and benchmarked, with educational excellence rooted in a range of General and Vocational courses.
Overview Of The Independent End-point Assessor Role
The 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 making a decision 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, on dates agreed with employers and/or providers if appropriate. IEAs 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 will be qualified assessors 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 IEA will:
- Take part in regular training and standardisation activities, associated with the role of IEA 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
- 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 EPA activities
- Contribute to the external quality assurance activities undertaken by the named external quality assurance body.
Person Specification
This occupation is found in the sport and physical activity sector in high-performance, community and school environments.
HIGH PERFORMANCE SPORT COACHES: develop athletes and players in high-performance settings, including those on talent or development pathways, national or international programmes, professional or podium environments.
COMMUNITY SPORT COACHES: motivate and engage people of all ages and abilities in community sports and physical activity settings. Community sport includes local authority, charity and national governing body of sport community initiatives or clubs.
SCHOOL SPORT COACHES: collaborate with teachers to develop pupils’ mastery of psychomotor skills by applying a whole child approach in their coaching. They work in all categories of school and registered childcare environments.
The broad purpose of the Sport Coach occupation is to use extensive technical and tactical sports knowledge and skills to design and deliver coaching programmes that engage, motivate and evolve participants’ skills and performance.
Background And Experience (essential)
- Current relevant occupational competence within the workplace for at least 2yrs.
- Knowledge and understanding of all the Coaching areas above.
- Qualified with a relevant qualification/s at or above the level they are assessing (Level 4)
- Assessor qualification
- 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
- Willing to travel to employer locations for face-to-face practical assessments
- Minimum of two working days during the week will be required for EPA role
- Hold a minimum Basic DBS certificate that is registered for the update service. Other supporting documents will also be required as evidence. Upon submission of an application, the Associate Recruitment team will be in touch to request DBS evidence and supporting documents. For further information on the DBS requirements please read the attached document titled DBS Guidelines for applicants)
Essential (others)
- Only UK based candidates will be considered for this role due to requirements
Background And Experience (desirable)
- Experience of Marking or grading judgements
- Experience in all areas of Coaching.
- Willing and allow additional time for travel, when making EPA arrangements
Skills & Knowledge (Essential)
- Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal skills, including the ability to effectively respond to conflicts
- Flexibility to understand and respond to the individual needs and circumstances of employers/apprentices
- Sufficient and relevant technical knowledge of:
- Health and Safety requirements in the workplace
- industry structure and processes
- relevant legal and regulatory frameworks
- a range of products and services offered within the industry
- systems, tools, equipment, machinery and processes used within relevant roles
- 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
Application Information We have a number of opportunities available for teaching professionals to join our growing teams of examiners, moderators and verifiers.
