Consultation outcome

Decisions: Updates to the end-point assessment qualification level guidance

Updated 26 April 2023

Introduction

Ofqual consulted between 19 July and 11 October 2022 on proposed updates to the End-Point Assessment Qualification Level Guidance (“the EPA guidance”).

In this document when reference is made to the “Conditions” this means Ofqual’s General Conditions of Recognition (and associated requirements which applies to all the qualifications and organisations Ofqual regulates) and the EPA Qualification Level Conditions and Requirements – these are the rules Ofqual has set for apprenticeship end-point assessments.

The End-Point Assessment (EPA) Qualification Level Conditions and Guidance have been in place since 2018. Over that time Ofqual has gained more insight into Awarding Organisations’ (AOs) understanding of our regulatory framework, identifying areas where AOs would benefit from further support to help them understand how to comply with Ofqual’s Conditions. The guidance Ofqual consulted on was intended to provide this support.

The proposed updated guidance addressed those areas of the Conditions which some AOs have found challenging to understand and aims to:

• help AOs understand Ofqual’s Conditions and how to comply with these
• provide some practical examples to demonstrate how the Conditions apply in the context of EPAs
• help AOs understand those areas where they have the flexibility to make design decisions within the requirements of the Assessment Plan and the factors to consider when making such decisions

This was done either by introducing new sections in the guidance or by making changes to the existing wording in the guidance to provide further clarification.

This document sets out Ofqual’s decisions following the consultation. In reaching these decisions, the responses received during the consultation period have been considered. Views expressed at a webinar for existing and prospective AOs on 20 September 2022 were also taken into account.

Summary of decisions

Ofqual has decided to implement the following updates to the EPA guidance as proposed in the consultation.

• terminology: amended guidance to explain and provide examples of how terms used in Ofqual’s Conditions apply in the context of EPAs
• arrangements with Centres: amended guidance to explain the arrangements AOs must have in place with Centres that deliver part of a qualification on an AO’s behalf
• publication of a qualification specification: amended guidance to make it clear that Ofqual’s Conditions require an AO to publish a specification for any EPA that they offer
• marking the assessment: amended guidance to explain the different forms that marking can take and clarifies that other approaches apart from numerical marks may constitute marking in this context
• Assessment Plans: new guidance to explain how Assessment Plans interact with Ofqual’s Conditions and the factors an AO is likely to need to consider when designing a specific EPA approach in line with the requirements set out in the Assessment Plan
• transitioning between Assessment Plans: new guidance to explain how to manage the transition to updated versions of Assessment Plans while protecting the interests of apprentices
• third parties: new guidance to explain how Ofqual’s third party Conditions apply where other bodies deliver aspects of an EPA on behalf of an AO

Recognition of prior learning (RPL)

Ofqual drafted the new guidance to explain how Ofqual’s requirements relating to recognition of prior learning in the General Conditions may apply to EPAs. Some respondents welcomed the proposal as the guidance explained that AOs are not required to recognise prior learning but must have a policy stating whether or not they did. Other respondents raised concerns about the draft guidance, stating that they were uncertain how RPL applied to apprenticeships and that its use could be problematic.

Also, since the Ofqual consultation was launched, there have been recent policy developments, for example, the introduction of Flexi-Job Apprenticeships, which may have implications for the application of RPL in EPAs.

Ofqual has decided, therefore, to defer the publication of the guidance on Condition E10. This is to enable us to ensure that any guidance takes account of any other issues that might be relevant to guidance provided on the application of Condition E10 to EPAs.

For clarity, even though the publication of this guidance has been deferred, AOs remain required to comply with Condition E10. This does not mean, however, that they must recognise prior learning – it means they must have a policy in place setting out whether or not they recognise prior learning.

The updated guidance will take effect at the point of publication and replace the existing EPA Qualification Level Guidance.

Details

Terminology – proposed updates to the existing guidance

What Ofqual proposed

Ofqual proposed to amend the note which is included in the introduction to the guidance to explain the terminology that we use and the way in which our regulatory terms apply to EPA delivery. The intention here was to emphasise the difference between defined and generic terms in the Conditions and the importance of applying these terms correctly.

The proposed amended guidance explains that Ofqual uses the same terminology in the EPA Qualification Level Conditions as in the General Conditions. This is to ensure that there is a consistent understanding and application of Ofqual’s Conditions across the organisations and qualifications that we regulate.

The new wording explains that while most words and phrases Ofqual uses take their ordinary or generic meaning, as set out in Condition J1.1 – 1.7 (Interpretation) some terms are capitalised, which means they have a defined meaning within Ofqual’s regulatory framework as set out in Condition J1.8 (Definitions) and EPA 6.4.

Where these terms are used in either the General Conditions or EPA Qualification Level Conditions, the new wording in the guidance explains that they must be interpreted in line with the definition we provide in our rules.

Respondents were asked if they had any comments on the proposed amendments to the existing guidance.

Responses received

The majority of respondents who commented considered that the proposed amendments to the guidance added clarity to the document and would aid consistent understanding and application of Ofqual’s regulatory terms. They commented further that the updates would be particularly helpful for organisations that have been newly recognised by Ofqual and would help to ensure a consistent approach was taken by AOs overall.

Other respondents described the updated guidance as a useful reference document and welcomed the clear links with the terminology used in Ofqual’s General Conditions.

A small number of respondents wanted more specific EPA terminology included in the guidance, as it was their view that applying terms used in other types of qualifications to apprenticeships would not achieve the clarity that Ofqual intended.

Decision

Ofqual has decided to amend the note in the guidance as proposed in the consultation.

Ofqual has considered the requests for more EPA-specific terminology to be included in this section of the guidance. Ofqual uses the same terminology in the EPA Qualification Level Conditions as in the General Conditions. This is to ensure that there is a consistent understanding and application of our Conditions across the awarding organisations and qualifications that we regulate. Using different terms between the General Conditions and EPA Qualification Level Conditions, where the meaning is intended to be the same, risks causing confusion.

Ofqual, however, recognises that there are differences between the way EPAs are delivered compared to other regulated qualifications and that the terms may not initially seem relevant in the context of EPAs. It is for this reason that this section of the guidance has been updated to address instances where AOs are not fully understanding or applying terms in accordance with the Conditions.

Ofqual will continue to monitor and evaluate the impact of the updated guidance.

Guidance on Condition C2 (Arrangements with Centres) – proposed amendment to the existing guidance

What Ofqual proposed

Ofqual proposed an amendment to the existing guidance to Condition C2, which relates to the arrangements AOs must have in place with Centres that deliver part of a qualification on its behalf. Based on Ofqual’s experience of regulating EPAs, it was considered that it would be helpful to go further in the guidance provided, to ensure that AOs are clear about what constitutes a Centre and circumstances where Condition C2 would not apply.

Ofqual proposed to amend the guidance to:

• make clear that within EPA delivery, there are a number of roles that an organisation could be fulfilling, which mean that for the purposes of the General Conditions and EPA Qualification Level Conditions, they are considered to be a Centre. Where this is the case, an AO must ensure that it meets the requirements of Condition C2
• explain that Condition C2 applies only where a Centre delivers part of a qualification on behalf of an awarding organisation. Usually, this will be where a Centre delivers assessments on behalf of an awarding organisation but there could be other aspects of qualification delivery which mean the other organisation is performing the function of a Centre
• explain the circumstances that would not meet the definition of a Centre and Condition C2 would not apply. For example, where an assessment takes place on an employer’s premises, but the employer takes no part in the delivery of the assessment

Respondents were asked if they had any comments on the proposed amendments to the existing Qualification Level Guidance on Condition C2 (Arrangements with Centres).

Responses received

The majority of respondents who commented welcomed the additional detail provided in this section of the guidance. They said that the further clarification on the circumstances in which Condition C2 would or would not apply was particularly helpful. At the same time, they also expressed views that the guidance needed to go further and provide more detailed examples than those currently proposed.

Decision

Ofqual has decided to amend the existing guidance as proposed in the consultation.

Ofqual understands the appeal of including more detailed examples in the guidance, as suggested by some respondents. In response, Ofqual would emphasise that the purpose of statutory guidance is to help AOs understand how to comply with the Conditions and AOs must have regard to any statutory guidance published by Ofqual. This means that an AO can choose to take a different approach but needs to be able to explain why. It is not designed to be prescriptive and to tell AOs what to do to develop and deliver their qualifications.

Further, in relation to arrangements with Centres, this could vary considerably between AOs depending on the requirements of the Assessment Plan and the approach taken by the AO, rendering more detailed guidance unhelpful.

Guidance on Condition E3 (Publication of a qualification specification) – proposed amendment to the existing guidance

What Ofqual proposed

Ofqual proposed an amendment to this section of the existing guidance to make it clear that the Conditions require an AO to publish a specification for any EPA that they offer in accordance with Condition E3.1 (an awarding organisation must, before first making available a particular qualification, publish a specification for that qualification). The proposed amendment to the guidance was intended to provide clarity about what should be included in a specification so that they are as helpful as possible for users.

The proposed amendment to the guidance sets out that:

• the specification is a document which provides information to users about the EPA. Condition E3.2 sets out minimum requirements which the specification must include
• many items which Condition E3.2 requires to be included in the specification may also be found in the relevant Apprenticeship Standard and Assessment Plan for an EPA
• the Assessment Plan sets out the approach that must be followed by all AOs offering EPAs for a particular standard. The Assessment Plan does not necessarily include all the information, in the necessary level of detail that a user needs to know about an individual AO’s approach
• an AO can decide to provide additional detail to help users understand its own approach to implementing the requirements of the Assessment Plan
• where the Assessment Plan does not include all of the information set out in Condition E3.2 and where this is relevant to the EPA, the AO must provide this information in its specification
• while an AO is required to follow the Assessment Plan, it remains responsible for the delivery of the EPAs it offers and the information it makes available about these

Respondents were asked if they had any comments on the proposed amendment to the existing guidance on Condition E3 (Publication of qualification specification).

Responses received

The majority of respondents who commented considered that the proposed amendment was helpful and made clear what would be expected of AOs in the development and publication of a specification. These respondents agreed with the importance of the specification in enabling users to access further information about the EPA. They also welcomed the recognition in the guidance that elements of a specification could be published in such a way as to not make commercially sensitive information public.

Some respondents queried the need to replicate what was already set out in an Apprenticeship Standard and Assessment Plan for an EPA in a separate document, calling the requirement burdensome.

Decision

Ofqual has decided to amend the existing guidance as proposed in the consultation.

Ofqual has considered the responses to the consultation and noted that some respondents questioned the need for a specification in addition to other documents.

It is Ofqual’s view that the specification is an important document for apprentices and Centres, providing them with the information they need to understand the requirements of the EPA. The purpose of the Assessment Plan and Apprenticeship Standard are different to that of a specification, and so this information may not always be presented as fully or as clearly, as it would be in a specification that is intended for users of qualifications.

Guidance on Condition H1 (Marking the assessment) – proposed amendment to the existing guidance

What Ofqual proposed

Ofqual proposed an amendment to the existing guidance to Condition H1 (Marking the assessment) which explains the different forms that marking can take and clarified that other approaches apart from numerical marks may be appropriate depending on the assessment method and the knowledge, skills and behaviours in scope of the assessment.

The intention of the proposed amendment was to make it clear that ‘marking’ refers not only to assigning a numerical mark to any evidence generated by an apprentice in an assessment, but that it could also involve the use of assessment criteria, without numerical marks, with an apprentice either being graded on individual criteria, or their grade being a product of their attainment across the criteria.

Respondents were asked if they had any comments on the proposed amendments to the existing guidance on Condition H1 (Marking the assessment).

Responses received

Most of the comments welcomed the amendment to the guidance, stating that the explanation about the different forms that marking could take aligned with their current practices. Respondents also expressed the view that the amendment could support a more standardised approach to marking across EPAs.

Decision

Ofqual has decided to amend the existing guidance as proposed in the consultation.

Guidance on Condition EPA1 (Compliance with Assessment Plans) – new guidance

What Ofqual proposed

Ofqual proposed new guidance which aims to support AOs in understanding how Assessment Plans should be used alongside the EPA Qualification Level and General Conditions, to promote a consistent approach to EPA delivery across all regulated AOs.

The new guidance sets out:

• where AOs have the flexibility to take decisions in interpreting Assessment Plans within the parameters of that plan
• when they might need to go beyond the requirements of an Assessment Plan to ensure compliance with Ofqual’s Conditions
• other guidance or any other requirements which apply to an Apprenticeship Standard or an Assessment Plan
• how to use Assessment Plans to develop EPAs that are also in line with Ofqual’s  General Conditions and Qualification Level Conditions

Respondents were asked if they had any comments on the proposed new guidance on Condition EPA1 (Compliance with Assessment Plans).

Responses received

The majority of respondents were supportive of the new guidance. They commented that it provided welcome clarity and would aid consistent approaches across all AOs. There was agreement among respondents that the guidance would save time in respect of seeking clarification or permissions from Ofqual and the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) about their individual approach to designing EPAs where plans are not explicit.

There were other comments stating that the guidance would be helpful in addressing the inconsistencies between AOs that were delivering EPAs to the same Assessment Plan.

Many of the respondents that wrote in support of the guidance also raised concerns about their experience with Assessment Plans and expressed views about the challenges around consistent interpretation experienced by AOs.

In relation to where Assessment Plans allow for flexibility in implementation, some respondents suggested that there should be some facility for all AOs delivering the same Apprenticeship Standard to come together to ensure a level of consistency in approach. Some respondents also suggested that decisions affecting AOs who were delivering the same standard should be readily accessible and publicly available.

Decision

Ofqual has decided to implement the new guidance as proposed in the consultation.

Ofqual recognises the points made by respondents in relation to the interpretation and delivery of Assessment Plans. This has been an area of focus in Ofqual’s engagement with IfATE. IfATE is responsible for developing, approving, and publishing Assessment Plans. Ofqual pays very close attention to the content of Assessment Plans and has supported IfATE as it has sought to improve the quality of plans. Ofqual will continue to work closely with IfATE, providing advice on the development of Assessment Plans to ensure apprentices are assessed in a sufficiently valid and reliable way.

In relation to where Assessment Plans allow for flexibility in implementation, Ofqual is working to minimise the challenges experienced by AOs in their interpretation and delivery of Assessment Plans. Work is underway to improve consistent approaches through a number of Ofqual’s regulatory tools, one of which is the facilitation of inter-AO forums. Forums provide the opportunity for AOs to collaborate on their approaches to EPA delivery and can help to address some of the issues currently experienced.

Guidance on transitioning between versions of Assessment Plans – new guidance

What Ofqual proposed

Ofqual proposed new guidance aimed at helping AOs understand what they need to consider when transitioning between different versions of Assessment Plans. This is because where an Assessment Plan changes, the AO will need to decide how to manage the transition from one version of the Assessment Plan to another. They will need to consider, for example, at what point apprentices should transfer from an EPA based on one version of the Assessment Plan to an EPA based on the new version, ensuring that as far as is possible, apprentices are not advantaged or disadvantaged as a result of the AO’s approach.

In summary, the new guidance explains:

• where the list of Assessment Plans is updated, what action is required of AOs to ensure they remain compliant with Condition EPA1. This action could include determining whether the extent of the change means that consideration should be given to amending the EPA

• the point at which apprentices should transfer from an EPA based on one version of the Assessment Plan to the new version. For example, an AO in making this decision should consider any guidance or requirements set by IfATE and other relevant organisations such as trailblazers, other regulators, or industry or sector bodies

The new guidance emphasises that in all cases, the AO must ensure that in delivering the EPA, it continues to meet the requirements of the General Conditions and EPA Qualification Level Conditions and must also consider whether the EPA listed on the Register remains appropriate.

Respondents were asked if they had any comments on the proposed new guidance on transitioning between versions of Assessment Plans.

Responses received

Most respondents were supportive of the new guidance, stating that it added useful clarity to an area that could be complex for many AOs to manage effectively.

Some respondents suggested that the guidance should be expanded to provide scenarios setting out the precise actions that an AO would need to take when an Assessment Plan was updated.

Some respondents considered that the guidance could only go so far as the issues with transitioning between Assessment Plans, in their view, arose from the limited information and short notice provided when Assessment Plans were updated.

There were additional comments about how the proposed guidance interacted with the Department for Education’s (DfE) funding rules that apply to apprenticeships as well as how transitioning between plans could impact those funding rules. Respondents considered that the guidance ought to cover this aspect.

Decision

Ofqual has decided to implement the new guidance as proposed in the consultation.

Ofqual is familiar with AOs’ experiences with delivering Assessment Plans and will continue to work closely with IfATE to address the issues raised in the consultation about changes to Assessment Plans. As explained earlier in this document, the purpose of statutory guidance is to help organisations understand how to comply with Ofqual’s Conditions. It is not designed to cover all scenarios.

On the question of DFE’s funding rules, Ofqual works closely with the DfE on apprenticeship policy. Information on DfE’s funding rules are available on their website.

Guidance on Condition C1 (Arrangements with third parties) – new guidance

What Ofqual proposed

Ofqual proposed new guidance to Condition C1 (arrangements with third parties) to address circumstances where an AO arranges for a different organisation (the third party) to carry out any part of the development, delivery or award of an EPA on its behalf.

The proposed new guidance was intended to clarify what is required under C1: that if this approach is taken, it is the AO who is recognised to deliver the EPA and who has ultimate responsibility for ensuring all aspects of its EPA meet the General Conditions and EPA Qualification Level Condition requirements. The new guidance clarified that it is incumbent on the AO to ensure that its arrangements with third parties delivering any part of the end-point assessment enable it to do this.

The new guidance included information on the benefit of contractual arrangements with third parties that sets out expectations in line with the General Conditions, as well as on the importance of ongoing monitoring to ensure that these expectations are met.

Respondents were asked if they had any comments on the proposed new guidance on Condition C1 (arrangements with third parties).

Responses received

There was broad support from respondents for this new guidance. They considered that it made clear AOs’ responsibilities when making arrangements with third parties and that this would help to maintain standards in EPA delivery.

A small number of respondents called for more detail in the guidance, in terms of the type of contractual arrangements that needed to be put in place with third parties.

One respondent questioned whether the guidance sufficiently mirrored the Education and Skills Funding Agency’s conditions for being on their Register of End-Point Assessment Organisations.

Decision

Ofqual has decided to implement the new guidance as proposed in the consultation.

In response to requests for more detail on the types of contractual arrangements that need to be put in place with third parties, Ofqual would emphasise that the purpose of statutory guidance is to help organisations understand how to comply with Ofqual’s Conditions. It is not designed to be prescriptive and to tell AOs what to do to develop and deliver their qualifications. Further, the exact nature of third-party arrangements could vary considerably between AOs, depending on the requirements of the Assessment Plan and the approach taken by the AO, rendering more detailed guidance unhelpful.

Ofqual notes that respondents to the consultation emphasise the importance of ensuring Ofqual’s requirements align with those of other bodies that are responsible for apprenticeship delivery.

Guidance on Condition E10 (Recognition of prior learning) – new guidance

What Ofqual proposed

Ofqual proposed new guidance to Condition E10 to explain how Ofqual’s requirements relating to recognition of prior learning in the General Conditions may apply in relation to EPAs. Ofqual’s General Conditions do not require an AO to recognise prior learning but do require it to have a policy setting out whether or not it does.

The guidance set out the type of circumstances where an AO may decide to recognise prior learning, as well as also describing the criteria which could be used when making a decision about the appropriateness of recognising prior learning.

Respondents were asked if they had any comments on the proposed new guidance on Condition E10 (recognition of prior learning).

Responses received

A number of respondents welcomed the proposals stating that the guidance would support AOs’ decision making on the appropriateness of recognising an apprentice’s prior learning and achievement. They also welcomed the clarification that AOs are not required to recognise prior learning but to have a policy stating whether or not they did.

Other respondents raised a number of issues with the guidance, stating that they were uncertain about how recognition of prior learning, as explained in the guidance, applied to apprenticeships and that its use could be problematic. This included questioning the relevance and appropriateness of recognition of prior learning within apprenticeships, and how recognition of prior learning would be applied in practice. Others asked for detailed examples to explain the circumstances under which an apprentice might seek recognition of prior learning and when an AO might grant this.

There were also suggestions that the drafting used in the new guidance was not helpful in the context of apprenticeships, and it was proposed that language relating to achievement rather than learning would be more appropriate.

Decision

Ofqual has decided to defer publication of the proposed new guidance on Condition E10 (recognition of prior learning).

The feedback received, together with recent policy changes, for example, the introduction of Flexi-Job Apprenticeships among other developments, has prompted Ofqual to review the timing of new RPL guidance. This means that new guidance will be deferred to ensure Ofqual can take account of and reflect any changes that might be relevant to guidance provided on RPL.

Ofqual would reiterate that AOs remain required to comply with Condition E10. This does not mean, however, that they must recognise prior learning – it means they must have a policy in place setting out whether or not they recognise prior learning.

Further views

What Ofqual proposed

As part of the consultation, Ofqual asked if there were any other aspects of the existing EPA Conditions and the General Conditions where guidance on their application would be helpful.

Responses received

The comments received mainly addressed Ofqual’s approach to regulating EPAs as opposed to other aspects of the EPA Conditions or General Conditions. Respondents repeated views expressed in response to other questions in the consultation which have already been addressed in this document. These related to calls for the statutory guidance to be more prescriptive and to provide more examples to support compliance with the regulatory requirements.

Decision

Ofqual has noted the comments made and will take account of these in any future work relating to the Conditions.

Equality impact assessment

Ofqual is a public body, which means it is  bound by the public sector equality duty in the Equality Act 2010. In Annex B of the consultation, we set out how this duty interacts with our statutory objectives and other duties.

Within the consultation, the impacts on apprentices (positive and negative) have been considered in relation to the proposals, including on those apprentices who share a particular protected characteristic. Ofqual did not identify any negative impacts on apprentices arising from the proposed changes to the guidance but did identify potentially positive impacts on apprentices with protected characteristics.

These are set out below:

New guidance on Condition EPA1 – Compliance with Assessment Plans

In relation to Assessment Plans, the new guidance explains that AOs must interpret an Assessment Plan in accordance with Ofqual’s requirements and have regard to any guidance Ofqual has published. Ofqual considers that this new guidance will have a positive equalities impact. AOs would be required to have particular regard to the General Conditions which relate to the need to ensure the validity of assessments, in particular Conditions D1 (fitness for purpose of qualifications), E4 (ensuring an assessment is fit for purpose and can be delivered) and G1 (setting the assessment). Condition E4 states that an awarding organisation must, in designing an assessment, ensure that it permits Reasonable Adjustments to be made while minimising the need for them.

New Guidance on transitioning between Assessment Plans

This new guidance describes how AOs should manage the transition to updated versions of Assessment Plans taking into account the interests of students. Ofqual considers that this will have a positive equalities impact as the guidance makes clear that it will be necessary for AOs to consider at what point apprentices should transfer from an EPA based on one version of the Assessment Plan to the new version while ensuring that as far as is possible, they are not advantaged or disadvantaged as a result. An AO would be expected to take account of the needs of apprentices, including those with particular protected characteristics, and to take steps to ensure that their assessment arrangements are not biased in favour of or against apprentices with particular protected characteristics.

Ofqual asked for views on any additional impacts that respondents had identified, as well as on how any identified additional impacts might be mitigated.

Responses received

Respondents did not identify additional impacts arising from the consultation proposals that had not been considered.

Decision

Given that respondents did not identify further issues, Ofqual has decided to update the guidance as proposed but will continue to monitor any impacts as part of our ongoing regulatory activity.

Regulatory impact assessment

In the consultation, Ofqual considered the regulatory impact of making these updates to the guidance and sought to balance the benefit of any changes against any disruption caused.

Ofqual concluded that although the proposed guidance will increase the overall impact of the requirements because AOs will need to have regard to additional information, the burden of familiarisation with the guidance and regulatory burden would be minimal. This was because the additional information could prove time efficient for AOs as it is intended to help them understand Ofqual’s Conditions and what they need to do to comply with these.

Respondents were asked for their views on whether there could be further regulatory impacts arising from the proposal and how best to mitigate those impacts.

Responses received

Ofqual received a small number of responses indicating that there were additional regulatory impacts that had not been identified resulting from our proposals.

One respondent considered that the requirement for AOs to follow the General Conditions as well as the EPA Conditions was a regulatory impact.

One respondent considered that regulatory impacts could be reduced further if Ofqual did more to support collaboration between AOs to minimise differences in the interpretation of Assessment Plans and approaches to EPA delivery.

One respondent did not specifically address the question of regulatory impacts but suggested that more guidance would be helpful on transitioning between versions of Assessment Plans.

Decision

The updated EPA guidance is intended to address those areas of the Conditions which some AOs have found challenging to understand. In addition, Ofqual is working alongside IfATE to address the points AOs highlighted regarding interpretation and delivery of Assessment Plans. Ofqual is also facilitating inter-awarding organisation forums, which will enable AOs to collaborate on their approaches to EPA delivery.

Given that respondents did not identify any further issues, Ofqual has decided to update the guidance as proposed but will continue to monitor any impacts as part of our ongoing regulatory activity.