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Summary of policy changes

Q6, NCFE

Updated on [7/11/2024]

We’ve recently completed our annual review of the EPA policies and as part of this review, we’ve made some changes to ensure that our policies:

are aligned with the system change to epaPRO
reflect our regulatory requirements to deliver EPA efficiently and effectively
streamline the process for you as our customers.

What has changed within the policies?

We have summarised below the changes that have been made:

Download our epaPRO user guide

Policy	Updates
EPA Regulations for the Conduct of End Point Assessment V6.0	Updated the policy to show by which regulations the policy is bound. Added the use of the epaPRO platform where applicable. Updated the areas of where assessments can take place, and added about the invigilation process being applicable to all training provider nominated invigilators and end-point assessors. Made general additions to the use of AI within assessments. Section 2.4 – Added a section highlighting our EPA maladministration and malpractice outlook. Section 2.5 – Added a section explaining Conflict of Interest. Section 2.6 – Added a section explaining our IQA process and how that is used in our EPA service. Section 3.1 – Made general updates regarding how to prepare an apprentice for EPA. Section 4.1 – Added a section explaining end-point journey and assessment violations. Section 6 – Made general guidance updates for the recruitment and management of colleagues involved in invigilating EPA MCQ/SJT/SAQ on behalf of the training provider. Section 8 – Added a section about the certification process and both NCFE’s and the training provider’s responsibilities to ensure certificates are claimed in a timely manner, without any data breach concerns.
EPA Enquiries and Appeals Policy V5.1	Updated the policy to show by which regulations the policy is bound. Section 3.2 - Updated provider submission timescales for all enquiries and appeals to 10 working days (previously 20 working days) from receiving the decision. This is with the exception of an Enquiry about Assessment – Clerical Check, which is 5 working days. Section 3.3 & Section 4.3 - Updated NCFE EPA resolution to 10 working days (previously 20 working days) from acceptance of enquiries and appeals for all stages. This is with the exception of an Enquiry about Assessment – Clerical Check, which is 5 working days and Stage 2, which is 15 working days.  Section 4 - Updated appeal process to state that NCFE now initially handles appeals for any maladministration or malpractice outcomes that are the result of an investigation into any training provider. Section 6 - Updated the appeals process to state that all methods appealed will be placed on hold whilst the appeal takes place, and no further resits of that method, or any other method that is affected by the appeal outcome, can take place.
EPA Reasonable Adjustments and Special Considerations Policy V4.1	Updated the policy to show by which regulations the policy is bound. Section 2.5 - Updated the Reasonable Adjustments submission process to reflect the epaPRO platform process. Section 2.4 & 2.5 - Updated the reasonable adjustments process, specifically around how to add any requests for exceptions to the regular English and maths minimum requirements for people with special educational needs, learning difficulties or disabilities. This was previously submitted at Gateway with supporting evidence. Section 2.6.1 - Updated the possible outcomes of a reasonable adjustment to include our consideration if the request affects the integrity of our assessment.
EPA Cancellation Re-sit and Re-take Policy V4.5	Updated the policy to show by which regulations the policy is bound. Section 3.1.3 - Updated the 5 working day cancellation notice an apprentice must give for certain standards - now including Leisure Team Member, Outdoor Activity Instructor, Personal Trainer, Sports Coach and Facilities Service Operative standards. Section 5.6 - Updated what is accepted as current Gateway evidence when an apprentice re-attempts EPA through a special consideration.