End Point Assessor For Apprenticeship Early Years Lead Practitioner (Level 5) (Birmingham Only)

Pearson; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Pearson invites applications for an Independent End-Point Assessor for Early Years Lead Practitioner (Level 5), Birmingham only. The role focuses on evaluating apprentices against EPA standards, maintaining CPD, and aligning with Pearson specifications.

You will travel to employer locations for face-to-face assessments, maintain high-quality EPA reports, and support appeals when needed. Strong knowledge of Early Years practice and independence is essential.

Qualifications

• Independent assessors must hold Level 6 qualification and meet DoE criteria.
• Must have 2 years postgraduate relevant Early Years experience.
• Hold A1 or TAQA assessor qualification.
• Have Basic DBS registered with update service.
• Willing to travel to employer locations for face-to-face effective assessments.

Responsibilities

• Take part in regular training and standardisation activities for the EPA.
• Maintain and provide evidence of ongoing CPD.
• Assess apprentice performance according to published criteria and procedures.
• Follow Pearson specifications, assessment materials and QA protocols.
• Maintain service-level agreements for EPA planning, reporting and submissions.
• Report risks and issues, including suspected malpractice, to Pearson.
• Ensure EPA reports and assessment evidence are high quality and recorded.
• Support Pearson with appeals from apprentices when required.
• Allow additional travel time when arranging EPA activities.
• Raise any conflicts of interest in relation to independence of assessment.
• Complete personal actions as required by Pearson.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of Pearson EPA activities.
• Contribute to external QA activities by the Institute for Apprenticeships (IfA).

Skills

Independent assessor

CPD evidence

Travel for assessments

UK-based

Assessor qualification

Education

Level 6 qualification

Assessor qualification (A1/TAQA)

DBS check (update service)

Job description

This job is with Pearson, an inclusive employer and a member of myGwork – the largest global platform for the LGBTQ+ business community.

Independent end-point assessor for Early Years Lead Practitioner (Level 5) (Birmingham Only)

About Pearson

Pearson is the world's leading learning company, with 35,000 employees in more than 70 countries working to help people of all ages to make measurable progress in their lives through learning. We put the apprentice at the centre of everything we do, because wherever learning flourishes, so do people. Find out more about how we can help you and your learners at qualifications.pearson.com

Key Accountabilities

The independent end-point assessor will:

• Take part in regular training and standardisation activities, associated with the role of independent end-point assessor 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
• Allow additional time for travel, when making EPA arrangements
• 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 end-point assessment activities
• Contribute to the external quality assurance activities undertaken by the Institute for Apprenticeships (IfA).

Person Specification

This occupation is found in a range of settings which can include day nurseries, playgroups, nursery schools, pre‑schools, kindergartens, primary schools, hospitals, social care settings, out of school environments and local authority provision. The broad purpose of the occupation is to be a proactive and influential practitioner, working directly with children, skilfully leading day to day practice at an operational level. As active practitioners they are effective role models of play based learning, supporting others to develop their own practice. They are highly skilled professionals who take an operational lead for the care, learning and development of all young children within their care, adapting to individual needs providing inclusive and holistic provision. They engage with sector developments both locally and nationally, with a commitment to developing their own professional and educational competencies. In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with children aged birth to eight years, families, practitioners, other professionals and appropriate agencies. An employee in this occupation will be responsible for supporting the quality of learning and development in their setting. They lead on the operational aspects of this provision and are typically responsible for leading other practitioners, an aspect or environment such as Communication and Language, Planning and Assessment, Forest School, Physical Activity and Nutrition. They usually report directly to the head of the setting (The Manager, The Leader, The Director).

Occupational Profiles:

• Have the competence to assess the apprentice at this level and hold any required qualifications and experience in line with the requirements of the independent assessor as detailed in the IQA section of this EPA plan
• understand the occupational standard and the requirements of this EPA
• Have, maintain and be able to evidence up-to-date knowledge and expertise of the subject matter
• Deliver the end-point assessment in‑line with the EPA plan
• Comply with the IQA requirements of the EPA
• Have no direct connection or conflict of interest with the apprentice, their employer or training provider; in all instances, including when the EPAO is the training provider (i.e. HEI)

Background and Experience (essential):

As a minimum Independent Assessors should:

• independent assessors who: hold a relevant Level 6 qualification, hold a qualification that meets the criteria as set by Department for Education* and have 2 years postgraduate relevant experience within Early Years Practice. Their knowledge and skills must be maintained through ongoing CPD through their employment as an independent assessor.
• Hold an assessor's qualification (A1 assessors award or TAQA qualification)
• Hold a minimum Basic DBS that is registered for the update service.
• 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.

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 Early Years.
• Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal skills, including the ability to effectively respond to conflicts
• Knowledge of relevant legislation, codes of practice
• 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