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Learning and Skills Mentor
Level 4 (1.2)

The Learning and Skills Mentor Apprenticeship End Point Assessment (EPA) Explained

At Elevate, we’re proud to be an Ofqual-recognised End Point Assessment Organisation (EPAO), here to support you through your Learning and Skills Mentor apprenticeship End Point Assessment (EPA). We’re dedicated to providing clear guidance and practical support to help apprentices feel confident and ready for EPA success.

Discover more about this assessment below, or reach out to us, we’re always happy to help.

Learning and Skills Mentors play a vital role across a variety of sectors, including healthcare, the military, education, construction, technology, and the creative industries. Found in public, private, and voluntary organisations of all sizes, these mentors help individuals and groups achieve their learning and development goals.

A mentor’s work is grounded in ethical and legal frameworks to ensure high standards of practice. They collaborate with stakeholders to meet mentees’ needs inclusively and effectively while committing to their own professional growth and reflective practice.

Mentors support mentees in person and remotely as the “knowledgeable other” in their organisation. They interact with a wide range of professionals, from trainees to senior leaders, leveraging internal and external expertise to help mentees succeed.

Mentors are responsible for managing the mentoring relationship, supporting progress, and upholding ethical and legal standards. They work independently to meet organisational goals while maintaining best practices in mentoring, ensuring every task is delivered on time and to a high standard.

Timeline: The Learning and Skills Mentor Apprenticeship will typically take 12 months to complete with the end point assessment undertaken in the final 3 months of the apprenticeship.

For additional information about this apprenticeship EPA check out the Learning and Skills Mentor apprenticeship End Point Assessment Plan.

Assessment methods

Observation with questioning

During the observation with questions, you'll carry out your usual day-to-day duties in your workplace, no simulations allowed. This is your chance to show off the knowledge, skills, and behaviours (KSBs) you’ve mastered.

A live 30-minute mentoring session will be observed, and you’ll also provide two 30-minute recordings of mentoring sessions (done after the gateway). These recordings must show you and your mentee clearly, audio-only recordings aren’t allowed.

The whole assessment lasts 2 hours: 90 minutes of observation and 30 minutes for questions. You’ll get at least 14 days’ notice to prepare, and your assessor will explain everything before you start. If needed, the time can be extended slightly to wrap things up.

After the observation, the assessor will ask at least five questions to dig deeper into your practice and give you the chance to shine. Follow-up questions might come up too. This is a great opportunity to showcase your skills and understanding in a real-world setting!

Professional Discussion underpinned by a portfolio of evidence

The professional discussion is a formal conversation between you and an independent assessor, where you can showcase your knowledge, skills, and behaviours (KSBs). You’ll refer to your portfolio of evidence to support and illustrate your answers, though the portfolio itself isn’t directly assessed.

You’ll explore key themes during the discussion, including professional practice, communication, assessment, and monitoring. You’ll have at least 14 days' notice to prepare, and your assessor will review your portfolio beforehand.

The discussion lasts 60 minutes, with up to 10% extra time if needed to finish answering a question. You’ll be asked at least eight questions, with follow-up questions allowed for clarification.

This is your chance to delve into the details of your mentoring practice and show the depth of your understanding!

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, Learning and Skills Mentor apprentices need to meet these requirements:

Have achieved minimum of 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 Learning and Skills Mentor 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 Learning and Skills Mentor 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, employers 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

Our prices reflect our maximum charge for the standard EPA (excluding reassessments) and are always fair and competitive, ensuring fees remain below the maximum 20% of the total apprenticeship cost. We believe in transparent pricing to support accessibility for all employers and training providers.

Our pricing structure includes a pre-EPA fee, charged during the contracting phase, to secure support materials and assessment booking. The remaining balance is charged upon Gateway entry and EPA booking. We cater to all group sizes and offer a flexible approach to pricing, with tailored options available for larger groups.

In line with regulatory guidelines, we’re open to discussing tailored pricing options to meet your specific needs. Please get in touch to explore how we can work together.

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.