Updated 31 March 2022
This guidance describes how to approach decisions relating to end-point assessments (EPAs).
Where possible, apprentices should continue with scheduled EPAs, that are in-line with the requirements set out in the end-point assessment plan. The flexibility (or temporary discretion, where one applies) should only be used if absolutely necessary. This includes where apprentices change employers.
Seven of the ten flexibilities introduced due to COVID-19 will be retained as options to use beyond 1 April 2022. The Institute will discontinue three types of flexibilities.
The Institute has published a flexibility framework which contains full guidance to explain exactly how the seven flexibilities should be applied from 1 April 2022 onwards.
The guidance below on temporary discretions applies to the arrangements from now until 30 June 2022.
All of these temporary discretions (which only apply to specific apprenticeships and are explained on the apprenticeship standards' pages on the Institute’s website), began their notice period on 5 August 2021. Those where extensions have not been requested or approved were due to be switched off on 31 December 2021. However, following the implementation of the government’s Plan B, the end date was extended to midnight 31 March 2022.
Where there remain exceptional challenges to apprentices being able to complete their EPAs, it was possible to request that the temporary discretions be retained. Interested parties had until the beginning of October 2021 to do so and final decisions are set out below. Requests to make changes to EPA plans after this date will be reviewed as normal, in-line with the Institute’s revisions, adjustments and dispensations process: https://www.instituteforapprenticeships.org/developing-new-apprenticeships/revisions-adjustments-and-dispensations/
The Institute has engaged extensively with the sector to listen to everyone’s views on what impact the flexibilities and temporary discretions have had. This took the shape of a far-reaching survey, commissioned research targeting apprentices and employers, and speaking to end-point assessment organisations (EPAOs), training providers, trailblazer groups and representative bodies.
If an EPAO requires clarification on specific temporary discretions or flexibilities that are already approved, (including confirmation that their plans correctly apply the temporary discretion) they should contact their external quality assurance provider (EQAP) in the first instance.
EPAOs must keep a specific log of any COVID-19 related actions.
1. TEMPORARY DISCRETIONS
The majority of temporary COVID-19 discretions will now be switched off at the end of March 2022. The apprenticeship standards’ pages on the Institute’s website will be updated and the COVID-19 banner will be removed when temporary COVID-19 discretions have been switched off. For those apprenticeships where the discretion has been extended, the banner will be updated.
Apprentices that progress through gateway prior to the end of March 2022 but have their end-point assessment planned from 1 April 2022 will be assessed against the requirements of the original EPA plan, unless the temporary COVID-19 discretion has been extended.
Apprentices that progress through gateway from 1 April 2022 will be assessed against the original requirements of the EPA plan, unless the temporary COVID-19 discretion has been extended.
COVID-19 discretions that have been switched off cannot be used as part of an EPAO’s reasonable adjustment or special consideration policy.
Discretions Ending on 31 March 2022
Any EPAs that begin prior to the end of March 2022 but are completed in April 2022 can continue to make use of the temporary COVID-19 discretion. EPAOs must discuss and agree action with the EQAP if the EPA cannot be completed before the end of April 2022.
Apprentices that complete their EPA, using the temporary COVID-19 discretion, before the end of March 2022 but who require a resit/retake are permitted to use the discretion, even if their resit/retake is completed after 1 April 2022.
Apprentices that are due to complete their EPA before the end of March 2022 using the temporary COVID-19 discretion but, due to extenuating circumstances, are unable to do so prior to the discretion being switched off should be given the opportunity to continue to be assessed using the discretion, if that is still appropriate. The EPAO must keep clear records in these cases.
The EPAO must discuss and agree action with the EQAP for any cases where the EPA has been carried over but cannot be completed before the end of April 2022.
Discretions Ending on 30 June 2022
Any EPAs that begin prior to the end of June 2022 but are completed in July 2022 can continue to make use of the temporary COVID-19 discretion. EPAOs must discuss and agree action with the EQAP if the EPA cannot be completed before the end of July 2022.
Apprentices that complete their EPA, using the temporary COVID-19 discretion, before the end of June 2022 but who require a resit/retake are permitted to use the discretion, even if their resit/retake is completed after 1 July 2022.
Apprentices that are due to complete their EPA before the end of June 2022 using the temporary COVID-19 discretion but, due to extenuating circumstances, are unable to do so prior to the discretion being switched off should be given the opportunity to continue to be assessed using the discretion, if that is still appropriate. The EPAO must keep clear records in these cases.
The EPAO must discuss and agree action with the EQAP for any cases where the EPA has been carried over but cannot be completed before the end of July 2022.
COVID-19 discretions extended to 30 June 2022
|
Route |
Standard Number |
Standard |
|---|---|---|
|
Business & administration |
ST0238 |
HR consultant partner |
|
Business & administration |
ST0239 |
HR support |
|
Business & administration |
ST0562 |
Learning and development practitioner |
|
Business & administration |
ST0563 |
Learning and development consultant & business partner |
|
Catering and hospitality |
ST0227 |
Chef de partie |
|
Catering and hospitality |
ST0228 |
Commis chef |
|
Catering and hospitality |
ST0230 |
Hospitality supervisor |
|
Catering and hospitality |
ST0233 |
Hospitality team member |
|
Catering and hospitality |
ST0589 |
Production chef |
|
Catering and hospitality |
ST0232 |
Senior production chef |
|
Construction |
ST0158 |
Dual fuel smart meter installer |
|
Education and childcare |
ST0454 |
Teaching assistant |
|
Education and childcare |
ST0148 |
Learning mentor |
|
Engineering and manufacturing |
ST0195 |
Food and drink maintenance engineer |
|
Engineering and manufacturing |
ST0196 |
Food and drink advanced process operator |
|
Engineering and manufacturing |
ST0199 |
Food and drink process operator |
|
Engineering and manufacturing |
ST0654 |
Fitted furniture design technician |
|
Engineering and manufacturing |
ST0249 |
Science industry maintenance technician |
|
Engineering and manufacturing |
ST0250 |
Science manufacturing technician |
|
Health & science |
ST0287 |
Associate ambulance practitioner |
|
Health & science |
ST0627 |
Ambulance support worker (emergency, urgent and non-urgent) |
|
Health & science |
ST0478 |
Community activator coach |
|
Health & science |
ST0113 |
Dental nurse |
|
Health & science |
ST0215 |
Healthcare assistant practitioner |
|
Health & science |
ST0216 |
Healthcare support worker |
|
Health & science |
ST0217 |
Senior healthcare support worker |
|
Health & science |
ST0218 |
Healthcare science assistant |
|
Health & science |
ST0220 |
Healthcare science associate |
|
Health & science
|
ST0583 |
Mammography associate |
|
Health & science |
ST0524 |
Sporting excellence professional |
|
Sales, marketing and procurement |
ST0071 |
Customer service specialist |
|
Sales, marketing and procurement |
ST0072 |
Customer service practitioner |
|
Transport & logistics |
ST0338 |
Passenger transport driver - bus, coach and tram |
|
Transport & logistics |
ST0257 |
Large goods vehicle (LGV) driver |
COVID-19 discretions replaced with a dispensation whilst the assessment plan is revised
|
Route |
Standard Number |
Standard |
|---|---|---|
|
Protected services |
ST0483 |
Emergency service contact handling |
|
Transport & logistics |
ST0645 |
Train driver |
COVID-19 discretions ending on 31 March 2022
|
Route |
Standard Number |
Standard |
|---|---|---|
|
Agriculture, environmental and animal care |
ST0223 |
Arborist |
|
Agriculture, environmental and animal care |
ST0224 |
Forest operative |
|
Agriculture, environmental and animal care |
ST0225 |
Horticulture and landscape operative |
|
Agriculture, environmental and animal care |
ST0343 |
Veterinary nursing |
|
Business & administration |
ST0526 |
Policy officer |
|
Catering and hospitality |
ST0191 |
Baker |
|
Construction |
ST0150 |
Electrical electronic product service and installation engineer |
|
Construction |
ST0617 |
Facilities services operative |
|
Creative & design |
ST0106 |
Creative venue technician |
|
Creative & design |
ST0255 |
Live event technician |
|
Digital |
ST0482 |
Digital technology solutions specialist |
|
Education and childcare |
ST0490 |
Teacher |
|
Engineering and manufacturing |
ST0457 |
Engineering technician |
|
Hair & beauty |
ST0211 |
Advanced beauty therapist |
|
Hair & beauty |
ST0630 |
Beauty therapist |
|
Hair & beauty |
ST0636 |
Beauty and make-up consultant |
|
Hair & beauty |
ST0213 |
Hair professional |
|
Hair & beauty |
ST0635 |
Nail services technician |
|
Health & science |
ST0248 |
Laboratory technician |
|
Health & science |
ST0530 |
Optical assistant |
|
Sales, marketing and procurement |
ST0644 |
Advertising and media executive |
|
Sales, marketing and procurement |
ST0194 |
Fishmonger |
|
Sales, marketing and procurement |
ST0327 |
Retailer |
|
Sales, marketing & procurement |
ST0334 |
Trade supplier |
|
Transport & logistics |
ST0037 |
Aviation ground operative |
|
Transport & logistics |
ST0038 |
Aviation ground specialist |
|
Transport & logistics |
ST0558 |
Cabin crew |
|
Transport & logistics |
ST0339 |
Passenger transport onboard and station team member |
|
Transport & logistics |
ST0419 |
Rail infrastructure operator |
|
Transport & logistics |
ST0258 |
Supply chain operator |
|
Transport & logistics |
ST0259 |
Supply chain warehouse operative |
|
Transport & logistics |
ST0545 |
Waste operative |
2. For more information
If you have any queries about this guidance please email enquiries.ifa@education.gov.uk. To help us identify and prioritise your query please use the following title in the subject box: EPA_Covid 19 [your Organisation name]
Other related guidance and advice can be sought from:
National Apprenticeship ServiceApprentices should get in contact with the National Apprenticeship ServiceTelephone: 0800 0150 600Email: helpdesk@manageapprenticeships.service.gov.uk.
Department for Education coronavirus helpline Telephone: 0800 046 8687Email: DfE.coronavirushelpline@education.gov.uk
For more government information targeted at apprentices, employers, training providers and assessment organisations in response to the impact of coronavirus (COVID-19).
Information on the Office for Student’s response to the COVID-19 situation.
Information on Ofqual’s arrangements for the assessment and awarding of vocational and technical qualifications in the context of COVID-19 situation.
To find out more on functional skills qualifications or mandated qualifications, please contact the relevant awarding organisation.