CIH welcomes new national apprenticeship assessment reforms

CIH welcomes the programme of apprenticeship assessment reform set out by the Department for Work and Pensions and Skills England, including the creation of a new occupational apprenticeship standard.

You can read about the reforms in full here.

These are the largest reforms for a number of years, and have been designed to make assessment more flexible, proportionate, and reflective of real workplace competence. It is expected that this will create a better experience for apprentices, employers, and training providers alike.

We've highlighted the main areas of changes below:

Changes to terminology

• End-point assessment has been replaced by apprenticeship assessment
• End-point assessment organisation has been replaced by assessment organisation
• Gateway has been replaced by gateway to completion.

Changes to assessment

• CIH, as an assessment organisation, is now responsible for devising assessment strategy
• An assessment strategy is to include elements of the following:
  • A synoptic assessment. A synoptic assessment requires apprentices to draw together everything they have learned throughout the apprenticeship and apply it to realistic workplace situations, demonstrating that they can perform competently in the role
  • Assessment carried out by training providers. Training providers will have the ability to deliver and mark, under the oversight of the awarding organisation. This approach allows greater flexibility and responsiveness to the needs of employers and apprentices, while maintaining standards of assessment.
• CIH, as part of its role, will decide if assessment takes place either during the course of the apprenticeship or towards the end. Any assessments that take place count towards the awarding of the final grade
• Employers will now be responsible for documenting and signing off that apprentices have demonstrated the correct behaviours throughout their apprenticeship. Skills England has created guidance for this.
• The changes to the assessment strategy requirements will mean that the duration of apprenticeships can be reduced.

To find out more about the standard and associated assessment plan for the senior housing and property management (level 4) apprenticeship, click here.

CIH are pleased to have contributed to the creation of the new apprenticeship standard, which, in coordination with employers and sector experts, has been carefully developed to reflect current housing practice and more clearly demonstrate occupational competence.

The new standard can be viewed now, but will be introduced in January 2027. There is no immediate action required for learners or providers. We will provide guidance through the transition, giving everyone time to prepare for the changes. Once we have the new assessment materials, we will start contacting our partners to begin the transfer process for learners.