Centre stories: “NCFE’s strong focus on learners makes the EPA process clear and straightforward”

Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust is dedicated to delivering a range of services to communities across the South East of England, in areas such as mental health, learning disabilities and neurodevelopment. Focusing on providing comprehensive care, their services support children, young people, adults, and older individuals, and are offered in a range of settings including patient’s homes and GP surgeries, ensuring accessible and tailored care for those in need.

Sussex Trust offers the NCFE Level 3 Senior Healthcare Support Worker and the NCFE Level 3 Business Administration programmes in partnership with NCFE. We spoke with their Training Lead, Claire Smith, to find out about her experience of working with us to deliver end-point assessment (EPA).

Q:  Can you tell us about your cohort of learners?

A: “All our learners are employed within our organisation. Some have been with us for a while and were eager to develop their skills and progress in their careers, while others have recently joined the Trust as apprentices.

“Many of our learners haven’t studied for some time, so adjusting to this aspect has been one of their biggest challenges. However, they really enjoy being able to showcase their existing skills in their roles whilst learning new ones. A major incentive for them is the ability to continue working alongside gaining knowledge and qualifications.”

Q: How has offering this apprenticeship standard impacted your learners?

A: “Offering these standards has had a tremendous impact on our learners. Many have chosen to pursue both standards to gain confidence and competence in their roles. For some, this learning experience has served as a stepping stone to new opportunities, whether advancing their careers or continuing with further education.

“Ultimately, providing our learners with these opportunities helps them feel supported in their professional and personal growth. This investment in their development leads to improved patient care and a more knowledgeable, skilled workforce. For our clinical staff, there’s nothing more rewarding than watching them progress along the nursing pathway and achieve their ambitions.”

Q: Why did you choose to work with NCFE for EPA?

A: “Having partnered with NCFE for the delivery of qualifications, it felt like a natural choice to continue this partnership for the EPA. NCFE’s strong focus on learners makes the process clear and straightforward, which was important to us, as we know EPA can be a stressful time for our learners. We wanted to ensure the process was as smooth as possible for them.

“At the same time, NCFE has been incredibly supportive to us as a centre, offering additional assistance whenever we needed it, especially when we were navigating the EPA process for the first time.”

Q: How has NCFE supported and advised you throughout EPA?

A: “Our EPA Relationship Coordinator has been exceptional. She’s always available to provide advice and guidance, offering support with everything from arranging reasonable adjustments for learners to helping us navigate changes in the EPA system. Her prompt responses and willingness to help have been invaluable.”

Q: What progression routes have your learners pursued after completing their EPA?

A: “Following the EPA, our learners have taken various progression routes. For those on the Senior Healthcare standard, many have moved on to the Trainee Nurse Associate Apprenticeship or the Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship, further advancing their clinical careers.

“In the Business Admin standard, learners have progressed into new career opportunities, with several opting to pursue additional apprenticeships to specialise in areas such as the Project Management and the Data Analyst standard. These pathways have opened doors for the continued professional growth and development.”

Q: Would you recommend NCFE’s EPA service to others?

A: “Absolutely, our decision is largely influenced by the exceptional support we receive from our EPA Coordinator. She works closely with us to ensure the process is as streamlined as possible, making everything run smoothly.”

Former Level 3 apprentice, Jade Delany, shares her experience in completing a Business Administrator apprenticeship with Sussex Trust and NCFE: 

A: “In preparation for my EPA, I was in regular contact with my assessor, who kept me informed about when my EPA would take place and what to expect through the process. Naturally, I felt apprehensive and overwhelmed, but having plenty of time to complete mock exams and practice my presentation with my assessor and line manager really helped me prepare.

“My EPA included three parts: a multiple-choice exam, a PowerPoint presentation, and a series of follow-up questions. On the day, my EPA Assessor was friendly and walked me through the entire process, reassuring me to take my time and not worry, putting me at ease. I was initially concerned that the questions would be difficult, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that they were straightforward and directly related to my project.

“Overall, I had a very positive experience with the process and I was fortunate enough to receive my results on the same day.”

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