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Domestic and Sexual Abuse
Support Worker
Level 4 (0.1)

The Domestic and Sexual Abuse Support Worker Apprenticeship End Point Assessment (EPA) Explained

As an Ofqual-recognised End Point Assessment Organisation (EPAO), Elevate supports your Domestic and Sexual Abuse Support Worker Apprenticeship End Point Assessment (EPA) needs. We provide practical assistance and clear guidance to ensure apprentices are well-prepared for their EPA success. Explore the details of this assessment below, or contact us for more information.

The role of the Domestic and Sexual Abuse Support Worker is found in voluntary and statutory social care and protective services, providing advocacy and support to individuals experiencing, at risk of, or recovering from domestic abuse and/or sexual violence. This includes offering information and advice, raising awareness, signposting services, and making referrals.

The main purpose of this role is to provide early intervention, specialist advocacy, and both emotional and practical support to those experiencing and recovering from domestic abuse and/or sexual violence, regardless of the level of risk. This may involve providing emergency accommodation, awareness-raising, signposting, and referrals.

In their daily work, employees in this role interact with survivors of domestic abuse and/or sexual violence and their children, as well as professionals in social care and protective services, including the police, housing providers, local authorities, social workers, medical and educational professionals, legal professionals, and court, probation, and prison staff. Employees are responsible for working within a coordinated community response, using specialist knowledge to provide advocacy and support to those at risk. They conduct risk and needs assessments, develop safety plans, and work within a multi-agency framework to prioritise the safety of adult and child survivors. The role may involve one-on-one or group support, staying informed on relevant legal, health, housing, and safety matters, and maintaining accurate records of casework. Different job titles exist within the domestic and sexual violence sector, but this role encompasses those who support adults, children, or solely victims of sexual violence, allowing for flexibility across various job roles and organisations.

This is a core and options apprenticeship. An apprentice must be trained and assessed against the core and one option.

The options are:

Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA)

Children and Young People Domestic Abuse Support Worker (CYPDASW)

Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA)

Timeline: The Domestic and Sexual Abuse Support Worker typically spends 18 months on-programme. The apprentice must spend at least 12 months on programme and complete the required off-the-job training in line with the apprenticeship funding rules. The EPA should be completed within an EPA period lasting typically 3 months.

For additional information about this apprenticeship EPA check out the Domestic and Sexual Abuse Support Worker apprenticeship End Point Assessment Plan.

Assessment methods

Presentation and questioning

In the presentation with questions, the apprentice delivers a presentation to an independent assessor on a set subject. The independent assessor must ask questions after the presentation. It gives the apprentice the opportunity to demonstrate the KSBs mapped to this assessment method.

Professional discussion underpinned by a portfolio of evidence

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.

What's the process for EPA?

Gateway

What does Gateway mean?

Gateway is a crucial stage that marks the transition from the on-program learning phase of an apprenticeship to the final assessment phase. It is the point where both the employer and the training provider agree that the apprentice has acquired the necessary knowledge, skills, and behaviours (KSBs) outlined in their apprenticeship standard and is ready to undertake the End Point Assessment (EPA). Gateway is essentially a readiness check, ensuring that the apprentice is prepared and has met all the prerequisites, such as achieving required qualifications, completing mandatory training and demonstrating competency in their role. This step is vital for setting up the apprentice for success in their final assessments.

To be all set for the EPA, Domestic and Sexual Abuse Support Worker apprentices need to meet these requirements:

Have achieved level 2 English and maths. For those with an education, health and care plan or a legacy statement the apprenticeship English and maths minimum requirement is Entry Level 3 and British Sign Language qualification are an alternative to English qualifications for whom this is their primary language.

Completed all workplace learning and off-the-job training as evidence of the potential to demonstrate professional competence in relation to the required knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs) of the standard. The apprentice should only be recommended for EPA when the employer is confident that the apprentice is occupationally competent and ready to undertake EPA.

Submit a Portfolio of evidence for the professional discussion.

Fully remote and accessible

With Elevate, apprentices complete their End Point Assessment (EPA) for the Domestic and Sexual Abuse Support Worker apprenticeship remotely. This flexibility allows apprentices to choose convenient scheduling options, whether during regular office hours or outside them. By providing a remote EPA, Elevate ensures that apprentices have the convenience and flexibility they need to succeed.

Information, advice and guidance

We provide comprehensive Guidance and Information Handbooks for the Domestic and Sexual Abuse Support Worker apprenticeship, ensuring apprentices are fully informed and prepared. Additionally, our onboarding sessions for training providers cover all aspects of the End Point Assessment (EPA) process, including timelines and best practices. To further support apprentices and providers, we offer a detailed Information, Advice and Guidance video, which includes a section on our 'Hot Tips', to help navigate every step of the apprenticeship journey.

Clear prices, no surprises

Elevate's EPA services are priced fairly and competitively and we always ensure our fees remain below the maximum 20% of the total apprenticeship cost. A pre-EPA fee is charged during the contracting phase to secure support materials and assessment booking. The remaining balance for the EPA is charged upon Gateway entry and EPA booking. Elevate caters to all group sizes and we offer a flexible approach to pricing, tailored to larger groups.

Browse our online guide to understand the distinction between a re-sit and a retake. For additional details, reach out to our team today. Please note VAT is charged for a re-sit and a re-take as these fees are not covered by the apprenticeship funding.

Here's what your investment brings

A flexible and highly responsive service
Comprehensive support for apprentices, providers, and employers across all the standards we assess. This includes employer EPA onboarding and scheduling meetings, standard-specific apprentice Information and Guidance Handbooks, a flexible booking system and Information, Advice, and Guidance (IAG) videos.
All apprentices receive performance feedback within 25 working days of assessment. Detailed feedback reports provided to apprentices.