In July 2022, the Peer Worker Apprenticeship Standard was approved for delivery by the Institute of Apprenticeships. As an experienced and trusted End-Point Assessment Organisation (EPAO) for a number of apprenticeship standards, we’re pleased to announce the launch of the SFJ Awards Peer Support Worker End-Point Assessment (EPA).
The Peer Worker Apprenticeship Standard was developed by a passionate group of trailblazer group members including employers, training providers and others including Kit Salt, Head of End-Point Assessment from SFJ Awards. The trailblazer group was facilitated by our sister organisation, Skills for Health.
The purpose of a Peer Worker is to work alongside other professionals in healthcare, justice and community settings. Peer Workers provide support for individuals using knowledge gained from their own lived experience of health or social problems and/or using services. No matter what type, or size of organisation the apprentice is working in, the key knowledge, skills and behaviours required to be competent in this role will be the same.
The Peer Worker apprenticeship is designed is for those over the age of 18 and is a Level 3 apprenticeship standard, which has a typical duration of fifteen months. The apprentice is employed and receives on-programme supported training where they learn the knowledge, skills and behaviours set out in the apprenticeship standard whilst doing the job. Through regular progress reviews, the apprentice, their employer and/or their training provider will ensure they have collated sufficient evidence and experience in their portfolio, as well as completing formative assessments, in preparation for the EPA.
Speaking of her experience in the trailblazer group, Kit Salt, said:
“It is exciting to have been involved in the development of this apprenticeship from such an early stage. Apprenticeships offer a structured career pathway, with the opportunity to learn in the classroom and on-the-job. This formal route into Peer Work will increase the number of qualified and well-trained people in the workforce. We will also see an increased awareness of the importance of this vital role in healthcare and other public sectors.”
Marissa Lambert, Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and Co-Chair of the Peer Worker Trailblazer group said:
“From conception of the trailblazer, SFJ Awards have been a key member in developing the new Level 3 Peer Worker apprenticeship standard. It has been a genuine privilege to work with Kit Salt, Head of End-Point Assessment, who has come alongside trailblazer members with passion, expertise and integrity from the outset. SFJ Awards quickly got on board with our ambition and commitment to support a progression pathway from Subject Matter Experts through to Independent Assessors, working from the fundamental principles of lived experience. We are now in an exciting position to launch the standard, and it is fantastic that SFJ Awards are onboard as a reputable EPAO to help support us with national implementation.”
SFJ Awards is part of The Workforce Development Trust, which also owns Skills for Health and runs Healthcare Apprenticeships Online (HASO) which is funded by Health Education England. This connection with healthcare expertise gives us a unique understanding and perspective of apprenticeships in the healthcare sector. This, combined with our customer focused approach and assessment experience, ensures that we can fully support employers and training providers to navigate their way through the Peer Worker EPA process.
Our EPA service includes the provision of support materials including handbooks, guides, document templates, sample assessments and information sessions. Our ethos is to provide a high-quality service at a fair price and our online portal makes registering, tracking and booking assessments simple. As a specialist organisation, we are able to provide a dedicated EPA contact who will support you throughout the EPA process.
If you are looking for a robust, end-to-end quality assurance process for your EPA, please contact our team on 0114 284 1970 or email epa@sfjawards.com and we will be happy to provide you with further information and pricing.
Find out more about our apprenticeship standards.
