EPA Standard
Children, Young People and Families Practitioner
Level 4 
£6,000 24 months
1. What the role entails
Apprentices will work with children, young people and families, including carers, to achieve positive and sustainable change in their lives. Apprentices will be skilled in recognising and assessing the complex needs of children, young people and families and will agree on any specific interventions or referrals. The apprentice’s approach will be one of respectful curiosity that challenges and supports children, young people and families to achieve their potential and stay safe.
Option 1: Practitioner in Children’s Residential Care
The apprentice could be working in a number of settings such as a children’s home, a residential special school or a secure children’s home. They will take the lead in developing and delivering the child’s placement plan and will work with the child to support their health, education, social and day-to-day needs, playing a significant role in helping them to thrive and fulfil their potential.
Mandatory qualification: Level 3 Diploma for
Residential Childcare
Option 2: Children, Young People and Families Practitioner within the Community
The apprentice may work in settings as diverse as family homes, youth centres, early years, youth justice, children’s centres, educational settings and in the community. They will manage risk across the spectrum needs for children, young people and families, and will play a significant role in working across agencies to improve outcomes. By supporting the confidence and skills of children, young people and families, the apprentice will help them to overcome barriers and maximise their independence.
Mandatory qualification: Level 4 Certificate in Higher Education in working with Children, Young People and Families
2. On-programme assessment
Before entering Gateway, the apprentice must complete the following on-programme assessment requirements:
- the mandatory qualification specified in the option chosen
- Level 2 English and maths
- a Portfolio to support the Competence Interview.
3. Gateway requirements
The employer, independent training provider (ITP) and apprentice make the decision to take the apprentice through Gateway. The apprentice must achieve all the required on-programme elements before they enter Gateway, as well as hold a current DBS certificate.
4. End-point assessment
The EPA for Children, Young People and Families Practitioner contains two methods of assessment:
Observation of Practice (50%)
The Observation of Practice will last for 80-90 minutes, will take place during the course of an apprentice’s normal work day and will assess their application of knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs).
The Observation of Practice should take place before the Competence Interview and, if practical, should take place on the same day.
Grading: the Independent End-Point Assessor (IEPA) grades the Observation of Practice as a Pass or Distinction.
Competence Interview (50%)
The Competence Interview is a structured discussion of 55-60 minutes between the apprentice and the IEPA, focusing on the work covered in the Portfolio. There will be probing questions and discussion about the professional practice undertaken within the course of the apprentice’s work, based on the application of core KSBs. The Portfolio will not be assessed, but it will be used to inform the questioning for the Competence Interview.
Grading: the IEPA grades the Competence Interview as a Pass or Distinction.
5. Grade aggregation table
| Assessment Method | Grading Grading</ |
Weighting | ||||
| Observations of Practice | If an apprentice fails any one of the assessments it will be deemed to be an overall fail |
Pass | Distinction | Pass | Distinction | 50% |
| Competence Interview | Pass | Pass | Distinction | Distinction | 50% | |
| Overall Grade Awarded | Fail | Pass | Pass | Pass | Distinction | |
6. Completion and certification
We’ll activate certification once the apprentice has successfully completed all EPAs, and the IEPA has verified this. Working with the apprenticeship certificate issuing authority, we’ll ensure the apprentice receives their certificate.
7. What next?
The learning doesn’t stop once the apprenticeship is complete. From the Level 4 Children, Young People and Families Practitioner standard an apprentice could take this pathway:
- Level 5 Children, Young People and Families Manager
- Level 4 Children, Young People and Families Practitioner.
Why NCFE?
We’re an approved End-Point Assessment Organisation (EPAO) specialising in EPA delivery across health, education, early years, digital, social care, finance and business apprenticeship standards. We offer flexible and reliable EPA solutions supported by sector expertise, guidance documents and proactive service and support.