Plan and manage the husbandry needs of domestic or wild animals in their care.
This occupation is found in a wide range of settings within the animal care sector. Animal care and welfare managers may typically be employed by animal charities, pet care services, pet retailers, entertainment and education.
The work is carried out individually or as part of a team in places such as kennels and catteries, animal welfare centres, farm parks, grooming salons rehabilitation centres, retail outlets and during the transportation of animals.
They may work for small independent employers through to national pet businesses and could specialise in one or more species.
The broad purpose of the occupation is to plan and manage the husbandry needs of domestic and/ or wild animals in their care. They will problem solve and deal with issues arising relating to the animal’s welfare. They ensure that the welfare needs of individual animals are met and that colleagues are appropriately engaged. They will adapt and prepare for the needs of the individual animal, taking accounts of things such as their life stage, condition or behaviour.
The animal care and welfare manager will provide a customer service and deal with client complaints. They will gather information from the customer to support the care and provide advice when appropriate.
Typically, an animal care and welfare manager will provide the animals with sustainable, enriching environments and keep the animals in good physical and mental health. They plan and implement suitable groups to prevent conflict and ensure stress free environments, recognising where social contact is not appropriate.
An animal care and welfare manager will conduct welfare assessments and prepare plans to meet the bespoke needs of the animal. They ensure accommodation and husbandry requirements are met.
In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with a range of stakeholders using a variety of communication styles. These may typically include customers, clients, veterinary professionals, licensing officers, service providers, product suppliers and manufacturers. They may also liaise with other animal care professionals and industry bodies. They will share technical knowledge with peers and will support newly appointed carers or volunteers.
An employee in this occupation will be responsible for providing care to animals in accordance with appropriate legislation, regulations and organisational policies. They oversee the day to day running of the business, working autonomously, planning and carrying out the daily working schedule. They support or supervise others on their team. They will report and maintain necessary records in relation to the animals, their welfare, and the maintenance of relevant equipment.
Often working with a variety of species or breeds, they are responsible for detailing nutritional and accommodation requirements which are implemented by colleagues.
They have a responsibility to operate in a sustainable manner, adopting environmentally sustainable working practices. They will maintain a professional and safe working environment in line with legislation and company policies and take responsibility for themselves, animals and others. They will be responsible for handling and storing equipment in accordance with company policy/ safety requirements. They will ensure that equipment is disinfected appropriately, and that cleanliness and bio security are maintained. They will dispose of waste materials in line with regulatory requirements.
An animal care and welfare manager will have responsibility for handling confidential data and may take payments for services provided. They will also deal with standard customer queries.
They will adhere to legal requirements relevant to their setting and including the Animal Welfare Act 2006, Vet Surgeons Act 1966. They have a responsibility to work safely in accordance with health and safety regulations and company policies.
This is a summary of the key things that you – the apprentice and your employer need to know about your end-point assessment (EPA). You and your employer should read the EPA plan for the full details. It has information on assessment method requirements, roles and responsibilities, and re-sits and re-takes.
An EPA is an assessment at the end of your apprenticeship. It will assess you against the knowledge, skills, and behaviours (KSBs) in the occupational standard. Your training will cover the KSBs. The EPA is your opportunity to show an independent assessor how well you can carry out the occupation you have been trained for.
Your employer will choose an end-point assessment organisation (EPAO) to deliver the EPA. Your employer and training provider should tell you what to expect and how to prepare for your EPA.
The length of the training for this apprenticeship is typically 18 months. The EPA period is typically 3 months.
The overall grades available for this apprenticeship are:
The EPA gateway is when the EPAO checks and confirms that you have met any requirements required before you start the EPA. You will only enter the gateway when your employer says you are ready.
The gateway requirements for your EPA are:
Observation with questions
You will be observed by an independent assessor completing your work. It will last at least 3 hours. They will ask you at least 10 questions.
Professional discussion underpinned by a portfolio of evidence
You will have a professional discussion with an independent assessor. It will last 75 minutes. They will ask you at least 12 questions. The questions will be about certain aspects of your occupation. You need to compile a portfolio of evidence before the EPA gateway. You can use it to help answer the questions.
You should speak to your employer if you have a query that relates to your job.
You should speak to your training provider if you have any questions about your training or EPA before it starts.
You should receive detailed information and support from the EPAO before the EPA starts. You should speak to them if you have any questions about your EPA once it has started.Reasonable adjustments
If you have a disability, a physical or mental health condition or other special considerations, you may be able to have a reasonable adjustment that takes this into account. You should speak to your employer, training provider and EPAO and ask them what support you can get. The EPAO will decide if an adjustment is appropriate.
This occupation is found in a wide range of settings within the animal care sector. Animal care and welfare managers may typically be employed by animal charities, pet care services, pet retailers, entertainment and education.
The work is carried out individually or as part of a team in places such as kennels and catteries, animal welfare centres, farm parks, grooming salons rehabilitation centres, retail outlets and during the transportation of animals.
They may work for small independent employers through to national pet businesses and could specialise in one or more species.
The broad purpose of the occupation is to plan and manage the husbandry needs of domestic and/ or wild animals in their care. They will problem solve and deal with issues arising relating to the animal’s welfare. They ensure that the welfare needs of individual animals are met and that colleagues are appropriately engaged. They will adapt and prepare for the needs of the individual animal, taking accounts of things such as their life stage, condition or behaviour.
The animal care and welfare manager will provide a customer service and deal with client complaints. They will gather information from the customer to support the care and provide advice when appropriate.
Typically, an animal care and welfare manager will provide the animals with sustainable, enriching environments and keep the animals in good physical and mental health. They plan and implement suitable groups to prevent conflict and ensure stress free environments, recognising where social contact is not appropriate.
An animal care and welfare manager will conduct welfare assessments and prepare plans to meet the bespoke needs of the animal. They ensure accommodation and husbandry requirements are met.
In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with a range of stakeholders using a variety of communication styles. These may typically include customers, clients, veterinary professionals, licensing officers, service providers, product suppliers and manufacturers. They may also liaise with other animal care professionals and industry bodies. They will share technical knowledge with peers and will support newly appointed carers or volunteers.
An employee in this occupation will be responsible for providing care to animals in accordance with appropriate legislation, regulations and organisational policies. They oversee the day to day running of the business, working autonomously, planning and carrying out the daily working schedule. They support or supervise others on their team. They will report and maintain necessary records in relation to the animals, their welfare, and the maintenance of relevant equipment.
Often working with a variety of species or breeds, they are responsible for detailing nutritional and accommodation requirements which are implemented by colleagues.
They have a responsibility to operate in a sustainable manner, adopting environmentally sustainable working practices. They will maintain a professional and safe working environment in line with legislation and company policies and take responsibility for themselves, animals and others. They will be responsible for handling and storing equipment in accordance with company policy/ safety requirements. They will ensure that equipment is disinfected appropriately, and that cleanliness and bio security are maintained. They will dispose of waste materials in line with regulatory requirements.
An animal care and welfare manager will have responsibility for handling confidential data and may take payments for services provided. They will also deal with standard customer queries.
They will adhere to legal requirements relevant to their setting and including the Animal Welfare Act 2006, Vet Surgeons Act 1966. They have a responsibility to work safely in accordance with health and safety regulations and company policies.
| Duty | KSBs |
|---|---|
|
Duty 1 Oversee and monitor the provision of care to animals in accordance with appropriate legislation, regulations and organisational policies. |
K1 K2 K3 K4 K5 K6 K7 K8 K9 K10 K11 K12 K13 K15 K16 K17 K18 K21 |
|
Duty 2 Assess and evaluate animal behaviour and health to establish care requirements. |
K1 K2 K5 K6 K7 K8 K9 K11 K13 K14 K17 K21 |
|
Duty 3 Provide animals with suitable social contact to prevent conflict and ensure stress free environments, recognising where social contact is not appropriate taking into account the individual requirements of the animal e.g. species, breed, animal life stage, health conditions. |
K2 K3 K4 K5 K6 K7 K8 K9 K11 K13 K14 K17 K18 K21 |
|
Duty 4 Plan bespoke and sustainable accommodation to ensure animal welfare, safety and security. |
K1 K2 K3 K4 K5 K7 K9 K11 K13 K14 K17 K18 K21 |
|
Duty 5 Plan feeding to suit individual animal needs. |
K2 K3 K4 K5 K7 K9 K11 K12 K13 K17 K18 K21 |
|
Duty 6 Develop and implement tailored healthcare plans to meet individual animal needs. |
K1 K2 K3 K4 K5 K6 K7 K8 K9 K10 K11 K12 K13 K14 K17 K18 K21 |
|
Duty 7 Collaborate with stakeholders and manage difficult conversations. |
K16 K19 K21 K24 K25 K26 K27 K28 |
|
Duty 8 Contribute to the development of Health and Safety policies, carry out risk assessments and monitor and maintain biosecurity. |
|
|
Duty 9 Oversee the day-to-day running of the business and minimise the impact on the environment. |
K1 K2 K3 K4 K5 K6 K7 K10 K12 K13 K14 K15 K16 K17 K18 K19 K21 K23 K24 K25 K26 K27 K28 S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S7 S8 S9 S10 S11 S12 S13 S14 S15 S16 S18 S21 S22 S23 |
|
Duty 10 Supervise or support and mentor colleagues. |
K2 K10 K12 K13 K17 K19 K21 K24 K25 K26 K27 K28 S1 S2 S3 S5 S7 S8 S9 S10 S11 S12 S13 S14 S15 S16 S18 S19 S21 S22 |
|
Duty 11 Keep up to date with advances in animal care working practices and emerging technologies. |
|
|
Duty 12 Schedule activities and allocate resources based on the work environment and incoming work. |
K2 K3 K4 K5 K7 K10 K12 K14 K18 K21 K23 K24 K26 K28 |
|
Duty 13 Maintain a professional, safe and welfare focussed working environment in line with legislation and company policies and take responsibility for themselves, animals and others. |
K1 K2 K3 K4 K6 K10 K13 K14 K15 K17 K18 K19 K21 K24 K26 K27 |
|
Duty 14 Identify and promote opportunities for continuous improvement to working practices and procedures. |
K1 K4 K16 K20 K21 K22 K23 K24 K28 S1 S2 S6 S8 S9 S10 S12 S13 S14 S15 S16 S17 S18 S19 S20 S21 S22 |
K1: The Animal Welfare Act, Veterinary Surgeons Act, animal related legal and regulatory obligations and company policies how they are applied.
Back to Duty
K2: Planning the care of animals taking into account the species, individual requirements and the five animal welfare needs.
Back to Duty
K3: Impact of the animals' environment on animal care and welfare operations.
Back to Duty
K4: Sustainable approaches to feed, accommodation and waste management.
Back to Duty
K5: Species and breed characteristics, the common problems associated with them and how they influence the healthcare plan.
Back to Duty
K6: Techniques to interpret animal behaviour, and how animal behaviour affects animal health care plans.
Back to Duty
K7: Animal enrichment requirements and methods.
Back to Duty
K8: How the principles of animal learning can be applied in the workplace.
Back to Duty
K9: Signs of pain, injury, disease and distress and how this information is used to inform and adapt care plan to ensure animal welfare of different breeds or species.
Back to Duty
K10: Preventative healthcare approaches for animals.
Back to Duty
K11: Methods used to assess the health and weight of the animal and how health and weight impact on feeding and care requirements.
Back to Duty
K12: Principles of planning feeding schedules (including appropriate feeds, frequency, and feeding methods).
Back to Duty
K13: Techniques used for handling, moving and transporting animals and their advantages and limitations.
Back to Duty
K14: Animal accommodation requirements and methods, including dimensions and setup costs.
Back to Duty
K15: How to deal with animal health emergency situations.
Back to Duty
K16: The limits of personal responsibility and when and where escalation is required.
Back to Duty
K17: Risk assessment development, recording and monitoring processes.
Back to Duty
K18: The importance of biosecurity and how risks can be managed through disinfecting, cleaning and correct disposal of waste.
Back to Duty
K19: Strategies for delivering customer feedback and advice in relation to animal health, behaviour and welfare.
Back to Duty
K20: How to access credible and reliable sources of information to keep up to date with advances in working practices and technologies.
Back to Duty
K21: Legal and statutory health and safety obligations and how they impact on the organisation.
Back to Duty
K22: How to identify and recommend improvement opportunities for business working practices.
Back to Duty
K23: Project management techniques to monitor and allocate resources to deliver an efficient animal care service within budget constraints.
Back to Duty
K24: The importance of key performance indicators and how they are measured.
Back to Duty
K25: Approaches to build and maintain customer and stakeholder relationship and effective approaches to managing difficult conversations.
Back to Duty
K26: The suitability of different communication styles for different audiences and to meet the desired outcome.
Back to Duty
K27: People and team supervision strategies, including team dynamics, motivation, coaching, mentoring and training techniques.
Back to Duty
K28: How to conduct performance appraisals and develop personal actions plans.
Back to Duty
S1: Provide care for animals to meet their welfare needs and in accordance with company policy, legal and regulatory obligations.
Back to Duty
S2: Monitor and oversee animal care ensuring the five welfare needs are met and in accordance with company policy, legislation and regulations.
Back to Duty
S3: Evaluate animal behavioural characteristics in order to establish animal care requirements.
Back to Duty
S4: Assess and evaluate animal health using the least invasive methods and use this to inform the care plan.
Back to Duty
S5: Deliver medical and preventative treatments in accordance with company policies and following veterinary advice.
Back to Duty
S6: Handle and move animals using the least invasive, minimally aversive methods suitable for the situation.
Back to Duty
S7: Assess animal weight and carry out body condition scoring.
Back to Duty
S8: Produce care plans to meet the welfare needs of the animal.
Back to Duty
S9: Implement animal socialisation strategies to ensure animal health and welfare is maintained.
Back to Duty
S10: Select sustainable accommodation solutions that ensure the welfare, safety and security of animals.
Back to Duty
S11: Manage biosecurity risks by ensuring disinfecting, cleaning and waste disposal in line with company procedures and legislation.
Back to Duty
S12: Complete health and safety risk assessments.
Back to Duty
S13: Monitor compliance with risk assessments and provide feedback to support the development of health and safety policies.
Back to Duty
S14: Resolve customer complaints.
Back to Duty
S15: Collaborate with colleagues, supply chains and customers.
Back to Duty
S16: Supervise the day to day running of the business (including the allocation of resources, ordering stock and scheduling workload).
Back to Duty
S17: Keep up to date with advances in animal care working practices and technologies and identify opportunities for these to be applied.
Back to Duty
S18: Monitor the health and safety of animals and people in accordance with company policies and procedures.
Back to Duty
S19: Support and mentor colleagues and provide constructive feedback.
Back to Duty
S20: Seek feedback and identify personal development needs. Undertake and apply learning from relevant continual professional development.
Back to Duty
S21: Provide operational information to inform team goals and objective setting.
Back to Duty
S22: Monitor progress towards the achievement of team goals and objectives.
Back to Duty
S23: Assimilate information to make changes to the animal care provision.
Back to Duty
B1: Animal welfare focussed, showing respect and empathy for animals in their care.
Back to Duty
B2: Takes ownership of work.
Back to Duty
B3: Puts safety first for self and others.
Back to Duty
B4: Committed to keeping up to date with industry best practice and source solutions to improve working processes.
Back to Duty
B5: Respectful of others.
Back to Duty
B6: Committed to personal Continual Professional Development (CPD) and applying learning to everyday practice.
Back to Duty
B7: Team focussed and works effectively with stakeholders.
Back to Duty
B8: Embraces equality, diversity and inclusion.
Back to Duty
B9: Adapts communication style to the audience.
Back to Duty
Apprentices without level 2 English and maths will need to achieve this level prior to taking the End-Point Assessment. For those with an education, health and care plan or a legacy statement, the apprenticeship’s English and maths minimum requirement is Entry Level 3. A British Sign Language (BSL) qualification is an alternative to the English qualification for those whose primary language is BSL.
V1.0
This document explains the requirements for end-point assessment (EPA) for the animal care and welfare manager apprenticeship. End-point assessment organisations (EPAOs) must follow this when designing and delivering the EPA.
Animal care and welfare manager apprentices, their employers and training providers should read this document.
A full-time animal care and welfare manager apprentice typically spends 18 months on-programme (this means in training before the gateway). The apprentice must spend at least 12 months on-programme and complete the required amount of off-the-job training in line with the apprenticeship funding rules.
The apprentice must complete their training and meet the gateway requirements before starting their EPA. The EPA will assess occupational competence.
An approved EPAO must conduct the EPA for this apprenticeship. Employers must select an approved EPAO from the register of end-point assessment organisations (RoEPAO).
This EPA has 2 assessment methods.
The grades available for each assessment method are below.
Assessment method 1 - observation and questions:
Assessment method 2 - professional discussion supported with a portfolio :
The result from each assessment method is combined to decide the overall apprenticeship grade. The following grades are available for the apprenticeship:
|
On-programme - typically 18 months
|
The apprentice must:
|
|---|---|
|
End-point assessment gateway
|
The apprentice’s employer must be content that the apprentice has attained sufficient KSBs to complete the apprenticeship. The apprentice must:
For the professional discussion supported with a portfolio , the apprentice must submit a portfolio of evidence.
The apprentice must submit the gateway evidence to their EPAO, including any organisation specific policies and procedures requested by the EPAO. |
|
End-point assessment - typically 3 months
|
The grades available for each assessment method are below
Observation and questions:
Professional discussion supported with a portfolio :
Overall EPA and apprenticeship can be graded:
|
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 EPAO should confirm the gateway requirements have been met and start the EPA as quickly as possible.
The apprentice’s employer must be content that the apprentice has attained sufficient KSBs to complete the apprenticeship. The employer may take advice from the apprentice's training provider, but the employer must make the decision. The apprentice will then enter the gateway.
The apprentice must meet the gateway requirements before starting their EPA.
They must:
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 20 pieces of evidence. Each piece of evidence is expected to relate to a different scenario and may contain multiple documents. 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:
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 the gateway evidence to their EPAO, including any organisation specific policies and procedures 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.
In the observation with questions, an independent assessor observes the apprentice in their workplace and asks questions. The apprentice completes their day-to-day duties under normal working conditions. Simulation is not allowed. It gives the apprentice the opportunity to demonstrate the KSBs mapped to this assessment method.
This assessment method is being used because:
The observation and questions 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 observation and questions.
The independent assessor must only observe one apprentice at a time to ensure quality and rigour. They must be as unobtrusive as possible.
The EPAO must give the apprentice 14 days' notice of the observation with questions.
The observation must take 3 hours.
The independent assessor can increase the time of the observation with questions by up to 10%. This time is to allow the apprentice to complete a task or respond to a question if necessary.
The observation with questions cannot be split, except for comfort breaks or to allow the apprentice to move from one location to another. Such breaks will not count towards the total observed time.
The EPAO must manage invigilation of the apprentice during the assessment, to maintain security of the EPA, in line with their malpractice policy. This includes breaks and moving between locations.
The independent assessor must explain to the apprentice the format and timescales of the observation with questions before it starts. This does not count towards the assessment time.
The independent assessor should observe the following during the observation:
The total duration of the observation and questions is 3 hours. Questioning can occur both during and after the observation. The observation will typically include 2.5 hours for the observation element and 0.5 hours of questioning at the end.
These activities provide the apprentice with the opportunity to demonstrate the KSBs mapped to this assessment method.
The independent assessor must ask questions. Questioning can occur both during and after the observation.
The purpose of the questions is to test the depth of knowledge and understanding of the apprentice and ensure full coverage of the KSBs.
The time for questioning is included in the overall assessment time. The independent assessor must ask at least 10 questions. To remain as unobtrusive as possible, the independent assessor should ask questions during natural stops between tasks and after completion of work rather than disrupting the apprentice’s flow. 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 independent assessor must ask questions about KSBs that were not observed to gather assessment evidence. These questions are in addition to the above set number of questions for the observation with questions and should be kept to a minimum.
The independent assessor must make the grading decision. The independent assessor must assess the observation and responses to questions holistically when deciding the grade.
The independent assessor must keep accurate records of the assessment. They must record:
The observation and questions must take place in the apprentice’s normal place of work for example, their employer’s premises or a customer’s premises. Equipment and resources needed for the observation must be provided by the employer and be in good and safe working condition.
Questioning that occurs after the observation 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 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 produce the following materials to support the observation and questions:
The EPAO must ensure that the EPA materials are subject to quality assurance procedures including standardisation and moderation.
In the professional discussion, an independent assessor and apprentice have a formal two-way conversation. It gives the apprentice the opportunity to demonstrate the KSBs mapped to this assessment method.
The apprentice can refer to and illustrate their answers with evidence from their portfolio of evidence.
This assessment method is being used because:
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 is to assess the apprentice’s competence against the following themes:
The independent assessor will ask a minimum of 3 questions per theme.
The EPAO must give an apprentice 14 days' notice of the professional discussion.
The independent assessor must have at least 2 weeks 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 75 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 12 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 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 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 professional discussion supported with a portfolio :
The EPAO must ensure that the EPA materials are subject to quality assurance procedures including standardisation and moderation.
|
Theme
KSBs
|
Pass
Apprentices must demonstrate all of the pass descriptors
|
Distinction
Apprentices must demonstrate all of the pass descriptors and all of the distinction descriptors
|
|---|---|---|
|
Health and safety
K17 S11 S12 S18 B3 |
Completes a risk assessment in accordance with company policies and procedures, identifying risks and suitable control measures in relation to biosecurity, personal health and safety and animal welfare. (K17, S12) Monitors the health and safety of animals and people, adapting their delivery approach to ensure the safety of self and others. (S18, B3) Ensures biosecurity risks are mitigated through disinfecting, cleaning and waste disposal in line with company procedures and legislation. (S11)
|
N/A
|
|
Produce animal care plan
K1 K2 K3 K5 K12 S8 S23 |
Produces an animal care plan in accordance with relevant regulatory legislation considering the animal’s individual needs, environment, and breed characteristics to meet the 5 welfare needs. (K1, K2, K3, K5, K12, S8) Reviews and updates the care plan, justifying any changes made. (S23) |
Justifies how their care plan optimises the physical and mental wellbeing of the animal. (K2, S8) |
|
Assess animal health and behaviour
K6 K11 S3 S4 S7 |
Conducts an assessment of animal health, behaviour, weight and body condition using the least invasive methods and uses their findings to inform the care plan. (K6, K11, S3, S4, S7) |
N/A |
|
Deliver animal care
K4 K7 S1 S6 S9 S10 B1 B2 |
Takes responsibility and provides respectful and empathetic care that meets the individual welfare needs of animals, including for handling, socialisation and enrichment, in line with company policies and legal requirements. (K7, S1, S9, B1) Takes responsibility for handling and moving animals, assessing the situation and utilising the least invasive methods. (S6, B2) Considers environmental factors and selects sustainable approaches to feed, accommodation and waste management that ensure the welfare, safety and security of animals. (K4, S10)
|
Evaluates their approach to delivering animal care using the least invasive method and how they tailored their approach in line with the animals' response. (S6, B1)
|
|
Theme
KSBs
|
Pass
Apprentices must demonstrate all of the pass descriptors
|
Distinction
Apprentices must demonstrate all of the pass descriptors and all of the distinction descriptors
|
|---|---|---|
|
Monitor and oversee animal care provision
K8 K9 K10 K13 K14 K15 K18 S2 S5 S13 |
Describes how they oversee animal care, highlighting all necessary considerations (including breed characteristics) when developing care plans to ensure animal 5 welfare needs (K9, S2) Explains how they deliver preventative healthcare approaches for animals in accordance with company policy and veterinary advice. Describes how to deal with animal health emergency situations and how to deliver appropriate medical care. (K10, K15, S5) Describes risks and limitations of various techniques used for handling, moving and transporting animals (K13) Explains the importance of biosecurity and how risks can be managed through application and monitoring of appropriate measures and processes. Describes how they support the development of health and safety policies. (K18, S13) Identifies animal accommodation requirements and methods, including dimensions and setup costs. (K14) Describes how they apply the principles of animal learning in the workplace (K8) |
Justifies changes they have made to animal care provision and how this has had a positive impact on animal welfare. (K8, K13, K14, S2) Evaluates the benefits of a preventative approach in healthcare for the animal’s wellbeing and the organisation. (K10, S5)
|
|
Stakeholder management
K19 K25 K26 K27 S14 S15 S19 B7 B9 |
Describes how they collaborate with colleagues, supply chains and customers including the strategies used to deliver customer feedback and advice on animal health and welfare. (K19, S15) Describes their approach to building and maintaining customer relationships and resolving complaints, explaining how the communication style they use affects outcomes. (K25, K26, S14, B9) Evaluates the strategies they use to supervise, support, coach and mentor colleagues and how these have a positive impact on motivation and team dynamics. (K27, S19, B7)
|
N/A |
|
Supervise day to day activities
K16 K21 K23 K24 S16 S21 S22 B5 B8 |
Explains how they supervise the day to day running of the business, describing how they contribute to the success of the business through allocating resources, ordering stock, scheduling workload and escalating concerns beyond their remit. (K16, S16) Explains how they support the aims of the business through providing information to inform team goals, objective setting, and the monitoring of key performance indicators and why this is important. (K24, S21) Describes how to ensure effective delivery of an animal care provision through the application of a range project management techniques and the monitoring of progress (K23, S22) Explains how they implement and follow health and safety requirements and respect the equality, diversity and inclusion of others, and how this benefits the organisation (K21, B5, B8)
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Evaluate ways in which their management approach has had a positive impact on business efficiency and helped the organisation achieve its goals. (K23, S16) |
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Personal Development
K20 K22 K28 S17 S20 B4 B6 |
Evaluates the sources they use to keep up to date with advances in working practices and technologies and describes how they have used these to identify opportunities to improve both their own individual practice and wider business ways of working. (K20, K22, S17, B4) Describes how they seek feedback and use performance appraisals to identify personal development needs and apply learning from CPD activities to improve their work. (K28, S20, B6)
|
N/A |
Performance in the EPA determines the overall grade of:
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 pass, the apprentice must achieve at least a pass in both assessment methods. The apprentice will achieve a merit if they achieve one pass and one distinction in the professional discussion and the practical assessment. To achieve an overall EPA distinction, the apprentice must achieve a distinction in both assessment methods.
Grades from individual assessment methods must be combined in the following way to determine the grade of the EPA overall.
| Observation and questions | Professional discussion supported with a portfolio | Overall Grading |
|---|---|---|
| Fail | Any grade | Fail |
| Any grade | Fail | Fail |
| Pass | Pass | Pass |
| Pass | Distinction | Merit |
| Distinction | Pass | Merit |
| Distinction | Distinction | Distinction |
If the apprentice fails one assessment method or more, 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 the EPAO should agree the timescale for a re-sit or re-take. A re-sit is typically taken within 1 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.
The apprentice will get a maximum EPA grade of pass for a re-sit or re-take, unless the EPAO determines there are exceptional circumstances.
| Roles | Responsibilities |
|---|---|
|
Apprentice |
As a minimum, the apprentice should:
|
|
Employer |
As a minimum, the apprentice's employer must:
|
|
EPAO |
As a minimum, the EPAO must:
|
|
Independent assessor |
As a minimum, an independent assessor must:
|
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Training provider |
As a minimum, the training provider must:
|
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 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:
the independent assessor should hold at least a level 3 animal care related qualification and have relevant animal care experience.
Affordability of the EPA will be aided by using at least some of the following:
This apprenticeship is not aligned to professional recognition.
| Knowledge | Assessment methods |
|---|---|
|
K1
The Animal Welfare Act, Veterinary Surgeons Act, animal related legal and regulatory obligations and company policies how they are applied. Back to Grading |
Observation and questions |
|
K2
Planning the care of animals taking into account the species, individual requirements and the five animal welfare needs. Back to Grading |
Observation and questions |
|
K3
Impact of the animals' environment on animal care and welfare operations. Back to Grading |
Observation and questions |
|
K4
Sustainable approaches to feed, accommodation and waste management. Back to Grading |
Observation and questions |
|
K5
Species and breed characteristics, the common problems associated with them and how they influence the healthcare plan. Back to Grading |
Observation and questions |
|
K6
Techniques to interpret animal behaviour, and how animal behaviour affects animal health care plans. Back to Grading |
Observation and questions |
|
K7
Animal enrichment requirements and methods. Back to Grading |
Observation and questions |
|
K8
How the principles of animal learning can be applied in the workplace. Back to Grading |
Professional discussion supported with a portfolio |
|
K9
Signs of pain, injury, disease and distress and how this information is used to inform and adapt care plan to ensure animal welfare of different breeds or species. Back to Grading |
Professional discussion supported with a portfolio |
|
K10
Preventative healthcare approaches for animals. Back to Grading |
Professional discussion supported with a portfolio |
|
K11
Methods used to assess the health and weight of the animal and how health and weight impact on feeding and care requirements. Back to Grading |
Observation and questions |
|
K12
Principles of planning feeding schedules (including appropriate feeds, frequency, and feeding methods). Back to Grading |
Observation and questions |
|
K13
Techniques used for handling, moving and transporting animals and their advantages and limitations. Back to Grading |
Professional discussion supported with a portfolio |
|
K14
Animal accommodation requirements and methods, including dimensions and setup costs. Back to Grading |
Professional discussion supported with a portfolio |
|
K15
How to deal with animal health emergency situations. Back to Grading |
Professional discussion supported with a portfolio |
|
K16
The limits of personal responsibility and when and where escalation is required. Back to Grading |
Professional discussion supported with a portfolio |
|
K17
Risk assessment development, recording and monitoring processes. Back to Grading |
Observation and questions |
|
K18
The importance of biosecurity and how risks can be managed through disinfecting, cleaning and correct disposal of waste. Back to Grading |
Professional discussion supported with a portfolio |
|
K19
Strategies for delivering customer feedback and advice in relation to animal health, behaviour and welfare. Back to Grading |
Professional discussion supported with a portfolio |
|
K20
How to access credible and reliable sources of information to keep up to date with advances in working practices and technologies. Back to Grading |
Professional discussion supported with a portfolio |
|
K21
Legal and statutory health and safety obligations and how they impact on the organisation. Back to Grading |
Professional discussion supported with a portfolio |
|
K22
How to identify and recommend improvement opportunities for business working practices. Back to Grading |
Professional discussion supported with a portfolio |
|
K23
Project management techniques to monitor and allocate resources to deliver an efficient animal care service within budget constraints. Back to Grading |
Professional discussion supported with a portfolio |
|
K24
The importance of key performance indicators and how they are measured. Back to Grading |
Professional discussion supported with a portfolio |
|
K25
Approaches to build and maintain customer and stakeholder relationship and effective approaches to managing difficult conversations. Back to Grading |
Professional discussion supported with a portfolio |
|
K26
The suitability of different communication styles for different audiences and to meet the desired outcome. Back to Grading |
Professional discussion supported with a portfolio |
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K27
People and team supervision strategies, including team dynamics, motivation, coaching, mentoring and training techniques. Back to Grading |
Professional discussion supported with a portfolio |
|
K28
How to conduct performance appraisals and develop personal actions plans. Back to Grading |
Professional discussion supported with a portfolio |
| Skill | Assessment methods |
|---|---|
|
S1
Provide care for animals to meet their welfare needs and in accordance with company policy, legal and regulatory obligations. Back to Grading |
Observation and questions |
|
S2
Monitor and oversee animal care ensuring the five welfare needs are met and in accordance with company policy, legislation and regulations. Back to Grading |
Professional discussion supported with a portfolio |
|
S3
Evaluate animal behavioural characteristics in order to establish animal care requirements. Back to Grading |
Observation and questions |
|
S4
Assess and evaluate animal health using the least invasive methods and use this to inform the care plan. Back to Grading |
Observation and questions |
|
S5
Deliver medical and preventative treatments in accordance with company policies and following veterinary advice. Back to Grading |
Professional discussion supported with a portfolio |
|
S6
Handle and move animals using the least invasive, minimally aversive methods suitable for the situation. Back to Grading |
Observation and questions |
|
S7
Assess animal weight and carry out body condition scoring. Back to Grading |
Observation and questions |
|
S8
Produce care plans to meet the welfare needs of the animal. Back to Grading |
Observation and questions |
|
S9
Implement animal socialisation strategies to ensure animal health and welfare is maintained. Back to Grading |
Observation and questions |
|
S10
Select sustainable accommodation solutions that ensure the welfare, safety and security of animals. Back to Grading |
Observation and questions |
|
S11
Manage biosecurity risks by ensuring disinfecting, cleaning and waste disposal in line with company procedures and legislation. Back to Grading |
Observation and questions |
|
S12
Complete health and safety risk assessments. Back to Grading |
Observation and questions |
|
S13
Monitor compliance with risk assessments and provide feedback to support the development of health and safety policies. Back to Grading |
Professional discussion supported with a portfolio |
|
S14
Resolve customer complaints. Back to Grading |
Professional discussion supported with a portfolio |
|
S15
Collaborate with colleagues, supply chains and customers. Back to Grading |
Professional discussion supported with a portfolio |
|
S16
Supervise the day to day running of the business (including the allocation of resources, ordering stock and scheduling workload). Back to Grading |
Professional discussion supported with a portfolio |
|
S17
Keep up to date with advances in animal care working practices and technologies and identify opportunities for these to be applied. Back to Grading |
Professional discussion supported with a portfolio |
|
S18
Monitor the health and safety of animals and people in accordance with company policies and procedures. Back to Grading |
Observation and questions |
|
S19
Support and mentor colleagues and provide constructive feedback. Back to Grading |
Professional discussion supported with a portfolio |
|
S20
Seek feedback and identify personal development needs. Undertake and apply learning from relevant continual professional development. Back to Grading |
Professional discussion supported with a portfolio |
|
S21
Provide operational information to inform team goals and objective setting. Back to Grading |
Professional discussion supported with a portfolio |
|
S22
Monitor progress towards the achievement of team goals and objectives. Back to Grading |
Professional discussion supported with a portfolio |
|
S23
Assimilate information to make changes to the animal care provision. Back to Grading |
Observation and questions |
| Behaviour | Assessment methods |
|---|---|
|
B1
Animal welfare focussed, showing respect and empathy for animals in their care. Back to Grading |
Observation and questions |
|
B2
Takes ownership of work. Back to Grading |
Observation and questions |
|
B3
Puts safety first for self and others. Back to Grading |
Observation and questions |
|
B4
Committed to keeping up to date with industry best practice and source solutions to improve working processes. Back to Grading |
Professional discussion supported with a portfolio |
|
B5
Respectful of others. Back to Grading |
Professional discussion supported with a portfolio |
|
B6
Committed to personal Continual Professional Development (CPD) and applying learning to everyday practice. Back to Grading |
Professional discussion supported with a portfolio |
|
B7
Team focussed and works effectively with stakeholders. Back to Grading |
Professional discussion supported with a portfolio |
|
B8
Embraces equality, diversity and inclusion. Back to Grading |
Professional discussion supported with a portfolio |
|
B9
Adapts communication style to the audience. Back to Grading |
Professional discussion supported with a portfolio |
| KSBS GROUPED BY THEME | Knowledge | Skills | Behaviour |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Health and safety
K17 S11 S12 S18 B3 |
Risk assessment development, recording and monitoring processes. (K17) |
Manage biosecurity risks by ensuring disinfecting, cleaning and waste disposal in line with company procedures and legislation. (S11) Complete health and safety risk assessments. (S12) Monitor the health and safety of animals and people in accordance with company policies and procedures. (S18) |
Puts safety first for self and others. (B3) |
|
Produce animal care plan
K1 K2 K3 K5 K12 S8 S23 |
The Animal Welfare Act, Veterinary Surgeons Act, animal related legal and regulatory obligations and company policies how they are applied. (K1) Planning the care of animals taking into account the species, individual requirements and the five animal welfare needs. (K2) Impact of the animals' environment on animal care and welfare operations. (K3) Species and breed characteristics, the common problems associated with them and how they influence the healthcare plan. (K5) Principles of planning feeding schedules (including appropriate feeds, frequency, and feeding methods). (K12) |
Produce care plans to meet the welfare needs of the animal. (S8) Assimilate information to make changes to the animal care provision. (S23) |
None |
|
Assess animal health and behaviour
K6 K11 S3 S4 S7 |
Techniques to interpret animal behaviour, and how animal behaviour affects animal health care plans. (K6) Methods used to assess the health and weight of the animal and how health and weight impact on feeding and care requirements. (K11) |
Evaluate animal behavioural characteristics in order to establish animal care requirements. (S3) Assess and evaluate animal health using the least invasive methods and use this to inform the care plan. (S4) Assess animal weight and carry out body condition scoring. (S7) |
None |
|
Deliver animal care
K4 K7 S1 S6 S9 S10 B1 B2 |
Sustainable approaches to feed, accommodation and waste management. (K4) Animal enrichment requirements and methods. (K7) |
Provide care for animals to meet their welfare needs and in accordance with company policy, legal and regulatory obligations. (S1) Handle and move animals using the least invasive, minimally aversive methods suitable for the situation. (S6) Implement animal socialisation strategies to ensure animal health and welfare is maintained. (S9) Select sustainable accommodation solutions that ensure the welfare, safety and security of animals. (S10) |
Animal welfare focussed, showing respect and empathy for animals in their care. (B1) Takes ownership of work. (B2) |
| KSBS GROUPED BY THEME | Knowledge | Skills | Behaviour |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Monitor and oversee animal care provision
K8 K9 K10 K13 K14 K15 K18 S2 S5 S13 |
How the principles of animal learning can be applied in the workplace. (K8) Signs of pain, injury, disease and distress and how this information is used to inform and adapt care plan to ensure animal welfare of different breeds or species. (K9) Preventative healthcare approaches for animals. (K10) Techniques used for handling, moving and transporting animals and their advantages and limitations. (K13) Animal accommodation requirements and methods, including dimensions and setup costs. (K14) How to deal with animal health emergency situations. (K15) The importance of biosecurity and how risks can be managed through disinfecting, cleaning and correct disposal of waste. (K18) |
Monitor and oversee animal care ensuring the five welfare needs are met and in accordance with company policy, legislation and regulations. (S2) Deliver medical and preventative treatments in accordance with company policies and following veterinary advice. (S5) Monitor compliance with risk assessments and provide feedback to support the development of health and safety policies. (S13) |
None |
|
Stakeholder management
K19 K25 K26 K27 S14 S15 S19 B7 B9 |
Strategies for delivering customer feedback and advice in relation to animal health, behaviour and welfare. (K19) Approaches to build and maintain customer and stakeholder relationship and effective approaches to managing difficult conversations. (K25) The suitability of different communication styles for different audiences and to meet the desired outcome. (K26) People and team supervision strategies, including team dynamics, motivation, coaching, mentoring and training techniques. (K27) |
Resolve customer complaints. (S14) Collaborate with colleagues, supply chains and customers. (S15) Support and mentor colleagues and provide constructive feedback. (S19) |
Team focussed and works effectively with stakeholders. (B7) Adapts communication style to the audience. (B9) |
|
Supervise day to day activities
K16 K21 K23 K24 S16 S21 S22 B5 B8 |
The limits of personal responsibility and when and where escalation is required. (K16) Legal and statutory health and safety obligations and how they impact on the organisation. (K21) Project management techniques to monitor and allocate resources to deliver an efficient animal care service within budget constraints. (K23) The importance of key performance indicators and how they are measured. (K24) |
Supervise the day to day running of the business (including the allocation of resources, ordering stock and scheduling workload). (S16) Provide operational information to inform team goals and objective setting. (S21) Monitor progress towards the achievement of team goals and objectives. (S22) |
Respectful of others. (B5) Embraces equality, diversity and inclusion. (B8) |
|
Personal Development
K20 K22 K28 S17 S20 B4 B6 |
How to access credible and reliable sources of information to keep up to date with advances in working practices and technologies. (K20) How to identify and recommend improvement opportunities for business working practices. (K22) How to conduct performance appraisals and develop personal actions plans. (K28) |
Keep up to date with advances in animal care working practices and technologies and identify opportunities for these to be applied. (S17) Seek feedback and identify personal development needs. Undertake and apply learning from relevant continual professional development. (S20) |
Committed to keeping up to date with industry best practice and source solutions to improve working processes. (B4) Committed to personal Continual Professional Development (CPD) and applying learning to everyday practice. (B6) |
| Version | Change detail | Earliest start date | Latest start date | Latest end date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | Approved for delivery | 16/10/2023 | Not set | Not set |
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