
Assessor Coach Level 4
Duration: 18 Months
Maximum Funding £7,000
The AC role has emerged within the Education and Training Sector (ETS), over the last 30 years, originally as a result of the implementation of vocational (competence-based) qualifications (notably NVQs) and formalised work-based education and training. The AC is a dual professional, using their up-to-date professional knowledge and skills to support vocational and professional development across the formal ETS as well as in any employer setting, and at any level. They may, for example, coach and assess apprentices, trainees or new recruits (ranging from young entrants, to new CEOs) in the workplace, commensurate with their own level of experience and qualifications, as required by their employer or their sector. ACs coach and assess vocational learners, usually on a one-to-one basis, in a range of learning environments. Coaching skills involve complex communication techniques to actively listen, provide feedback and to engage learners in planning their individualised learning programme. These skills are also integral to assessing learners’ competence in-relation to work-related/industry standards and life skills.
ACs work co-operatively with other ETS or professionals (such as teachers, human resource professionals and mentors/supervisors in the workplace) in supporting the learner’s development of vocational competence and the wider skills that relate to employability and professionalism.
Within the sector, ‘coaching’ is seen as a more complex set of interpersonal skills, compared with ‘mentoring’. It is more learner-centred, exploring the learner’s understanding and needs rather than simply giving advice. (See the Level 3 Learning Mentor Standard for further clarification about these two different roles.)
The AC apprenticeship requires the development of following professional behaviours, knowledge and skills:
Professional behaviours. The Assessor-Coach will:
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Inspire, motivate and raise learners’ aspirations through their passion for the sector
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Operate at all times to ethical and legal standards and within professional boundaries
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Model and encourage mutual respect, displaying a deep understanding of equality and diversity, with and between learners, colleagues and appropriate agencies
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Be resilient and adaptable when dealing with challenge and change, maintaining focus and self-control
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Value the importance of maths, English and ICT skills in the learners’ future economic and social well-being
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Evaluate and improve their own professional practice in relation to the Professional Standards for Teachers and Educators in the Education and Training Sector
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The Assessor-Coach will understand and be able to:
Plan coaching and assessment
Procedures for planning coaching and assessment
S1 facilitate access to relevant, current information advice and guidance (IAG)
K1 sources of and how to access up-to-date and valid IAG
S2 apply or reference relevant initial and diagnostic assessment
K2 relevant forms of assessment to identify individual needs
S3 agree a programme of development and assessment, setting realistic but challenging goals that meet learners’ and employers’ needs
K3 how to agree individual programmes that inspire and challenge learners to achieve current work-related knowledge and skills
S4 liaise with employers, colleagues and others to support learners’ development
K4 additional support for learners available through workplace and provider-based colleagues
Deliver coaching support
Effective coaching practice
S5 anticipate and overcome barriers to progress and inspire achievement, ensuring that learning is inclusive and supports diversity
K5 strategies for inspiring learners, increasing their resilience in overcoming barriers and obstacles, and in raising concerns
S6 highlight learners’ mathematics and English needs, and signposts to appropriate support
K6 maths and English underpinning vocational skills and how to access additional support
S7 give timely feedback on progress towards mastery of relevant skills and knowledgeK7 effective practice in giving feedback to guide progress and achievementS8 provide access to pastoral support and guidanceK8 ways of supporting the learner’s well-being
S9 promote the safe and effective use of digital and mobile technologies to support learners and the Assessor-Coach role
K9 current and emerging technologies that could safely and effectively support learner autonomy and the Assessor-Coach role
S10 agree and record targets and progress, complying with quality, confidentiality and data protection requirements
K10 administrative procedures for recording, storing and sharing information that is legally compliant
Assess learners
Effective vocational assessment
S11 use effective listening, assertiveness and questioning to support learners’ to engage with their learning plans and with assessment criteria and processes
K11 the effective use of active listening, assertiveness and questioning skills to support retention, progress and achievement
S12 comply with awarding organisation requirements and local quality and safety guidelines
K12 the quality and safety requirements of assessment and procedures for reporting concerns
Support quality improvement
Ways to support quality improvement
S13 support peer review and quality assurance procedures
K13 Internal and External quality procedures and the role of peer review
S14 report concerns about quality and safeguarding through appropriate channels
K14 organisational and legislative requirements for reporting concerns about quality and safeguarding
S15 maintain the currency of their own knowledge and skills, with reference to workplace practice and feedback from others
K15 how to maintain occupational currency and ways to improve coaching and professional practice