Decision details

To procure NCFE as North Yorkshire County Council’s End Point Assessment (EPA) Independent Assessment Organisation (IAO), Training & Learning apprenticeship awarding body. Awarded via YPO Framework 833 Apprenticeships and Associated Training from the 1st August 2022, and expires on the 31st July 2024. Contract incorporates optional extension for up to one additional period of 24 months, 1st August 2024 – 31st July 2026.

An apprentice cannot achieve their apprenticeship without passing the EPA. The rules state EPA must be delivered by an Independent Assessment Organisation (IAO). As such Assessors must be independent of, and separate from, the training provided by the provider and employer.

NCFE is an accredited well-established and proven provider of End Point Assessment (EPA) in the Heath & Social Care sector.

NCFE successfully completed a pilot between 21st February 2019 and 31st March 2022 for EPA delivery for Level 2 Adult Care Apprenticeship & Level 3 Lead Adult Care Apprenticeship Standards. As such the decision to procure was made on the following:-

• NCFE has delivered on the promises agreed in the pilot, exceeded expectations, providing a genuinely learner and customer lead experience – Success pilot delivery
• Continuation of existing relationship
• Overall more cost effective solution
• Quality provision,
o EPA Assessors are employed, allowing a relationship to be established. This allows for consistency, efficiency and most importantly continuity of product and service
o NCFE has designed and delivers a dynamic, flexible and well-structured programme, supported by strong team who have a wide range of specialist expertise and are well qualified

NCFE were the only provider capable of delivering the required combination of Apprenticeship standards on the YPO Framework.