Issuu

Level 5 Learning and Development Consultant / Business Partner Apprentice Assessment Guidance for End-point Assessment Introduction This assessment guidance document will guide you through the requirements of the End-point Assessments. Work-based project with Professional Discussion You will agree the subject for your project with your End-point Assessor, so you cannot start any activity on your project until this has been agreed after your gateway review. This ensures that your project will have the scope and depth required to meet the requirements of the project and professional discussion assessment criteria. You will need to submit your project synopsis at your gateway review. Your project must be based on a real-world business problem, and you must implement a learning and development solution to this problem. Neither the problem nor the solution can be simulated. The project will cover how you have dealt with a significant issue facing the business/sector. The project will require significant research both inside the organisation and into the learning and development profession to demonstrate breadth of understanding, and the application of this research to support the project decisions and outcomes. You will need to:

Analyse the problem. This should include demonstrating significant consultation with relevant business stakeholders to understand the requirements of the business/team Conduct relevant background research e.g. business requirements/implications, L&D/industry developments, and any regulatory requirements. This should include relevant data analysis and budgetary/resource considerations

Assessment Services/level 5 Learning and Development Consultant Business Partner v1.1/V1/April 2026

Research and develop options for potential solutions, giving reasoned explanations as to their inclusion or rejection Collaborate and consult with colleagues and the business in the development of the agreed solution Develop the Project plan with relevant solutions looking for impacted populations and implementing change management actions as appropriate Implement the solution Evaluate the solution against the agreed criteria from stakeholders Evaluate for lessons learnt and factors to improve upon for next time

The project should include evidence of how the project was delivered and the outcomes achieved e.g. relevant emails; evidence of return on investment/expectations; and/or client feedback. Your project report must be a 5,000-word written report. There is a 10% tolerance on the word limit either way and any annexes (meeting notes, plans, workflow documents, reports, analysis, relevant emails, evidence of return on investment/expectations, and/or client feedback) are not included in the word count. You will have four months from the date you completed your gateway review to submit your project report. Your project report must cover: • • • •

what you did how you did it the outputs that resulted from the project the grading statements below.

Your project-based professional discussion must take place within five months of your gateway review. It is important that your project is submitting as soon as possible to allow time for you to prepare for your professional discussion. The professional discussion will consist of 10-12 open questions posed by the End-point Assessor. You will not be informed of the questions prior to the professional discussion. The questions will be based on the criteria requirements (listed below) and linked to your project. Your End-point Assessor will be able to ask follow-up probing questions to seek clarification. The professional discussion will last 75 minutes (+/- 10%). You will also need to ensure that you answer all questions within the professional discussion as thoroughly as possible while adhering to the timeframe. The professional discussion will focus on the written report and supporting annexes and will take place either face-to-face or via online conferencing. The professional discussion must be conducted in a suitable controlled environment e.g., a quiet room free from Assessment Services/level 5 Learning and Development Consultant Business Partner v1.1/V1/April 2026

distractions and influence. The work-based project with professional discussion must be sat first, before you can complete the presentation and Q&A based on learning journal. Your professional discussion and presentation should be completed on the same day. The grading statements that will need to be achieved within your project and professional discussion are listed below. Grading Statements – Work-based Project and professional discussion Pass Produce a project report that covers an end-to-end consultancy project process, including each key element. The key elements are analysis, research, option development, consultation/ collaboration, implementation and evaluation. Links to assessment criteria: K6, K7, K10, K11, K16, S1, S3, S5, S9, S12, B9 Demonstrates that the project has a clear link between the business problem/requirements and the recommendations/solution delivered and provides evidence that the project was designed to meet those. Links to assessment criteria: K8, K9, K16, B7, B8, B9 Articulates in the report an understanding of the organisation’s vision, mission, values, strategy, plans, stakeholders, customers and competitors and consideration of these when undertaking the project. Links to assessment criteria: K8, B7, B9 References at least 3 recognised theories/models that underpin effective adult learning in project report and provides evidence that the project uses these. Links to assessment criteria: K1 Provides evidence that during project delivery that they analysed the problem, using at least 3 appropriate consultancy and questioning techniques. The analysis should include demonstrating significant communication, collaboration and consultation with relevant business stakeholders to understand the requirements of the business/team. Appropriate consultancy and questioning techniques could include: the report or annexes shows use of tools to deliver this like SWOT, 5 Whys, brainstorming sessions, organisational needs analysis. Links to assessment criteria: K7, K10, K16, S1, S2, S9, S15, S19, B2, B5

Assessment Services/level 5 Learning and Development Consultant Business Partner v1.1/V1/April 2026

Articulate how they have conducted relevant background research and why this is important. This could include considerations for business requirements/metrics/implications, L&D/industry developments, any regulatory or equality and diversity requirements. Links to assessment criteria: K5, K8, K9 Demonstrates that they collected appropriate data and information and conducted relevant data analysis as part of the project. For example, key performance indicators and metrics, benchmarking data, qualitative and quantitative data. Links to assessment criteria: K16, K17 Show consideration and planning for budgetary/resource requirements. Links to assessment criteria: K6, K15, S12, S13, B7 Evidences that they have researched and developed costed options/ideas for potential solutions, giving reasoned explanations as to their inclusion or rejection. This should include reference to consideration of any equality and diversity requirements. Links to assessment criteria: K5, S3, B2, B7, B9 Describe how they implemented the project solution, using appropriate project management, and if relevant, change management principles to monitor the project. Links to assessment criteria: K6, S5 Demonstrates that the project outcomes are implemented in a way that means measurement of the success of those outcomes is possible. Links to assessment criteria: K6, K7, K11, K16, S5, B8 Articulates how they evaluated the project and its outcomes, using supporting evidence, against the criteria laid out by the stakeholders and to make improvement for next time. The appendix should contain supporting evidence to show the use of evaluation tools. Links to assessment criteria: K7, B8 Demonstrates when questioned that they are clear on the detail of their project and the reasons for the decisions/actions they took in relation to the solution delivered and can articulate their links to business requirements.

Assessment Services/level 5 Learning and Development Consultant Business Partner v1.1/V1/April 2026

Questioning will take place during the professional discussion. Links to assessment criteria: B8, B9 Provides examples from the project that demonstrates they are a learning and development expert within their team/organisation. Links to assessment criteria: B5 Distinction Evidences that the project’s outcomes result in a real and measurable business benefit/s or improvement/s and recommends future actions to ensure sustainable change. For example provides evidence of this through improvement metrics, early indicators of ROI, feedback from stakeholders/learners. Links to assessment criteria: K7, K11, K16, S13, B8, B9 Evidence of adaptation of models/theories or paradigms to better support the specific project. Links to assessment criteria: K1 Shows that they have been able to actively influence up, down and across the organisation, and have actively influenced senior teams to action the project or support implementation of their solution. This must be evidenced during the project and the consultancy activities undertaken. Links to assessment criteria: S9, S15, B5 Demonstrates that their research and understanding goes further than project requirements. For example: they may have compared and contrasted different organisations with different learning cultures /contexts and/or that they have applied thinking beyond the organisation today, which may include consultation outside of the business. Links to assessment criteria: K1, K8, S15 Demonstrates the project considers innovative and creative solutions to the problem based on a reasoned review of what fits the requirements and budget best. This may include demonstrable cost savings. Links to assessment criteria: K15, S12, S13, B2, B8

Assessment Services/level 5 Learning and Development Consultant Business Partner v1.1/V1/April 2026

Demonstrates information is shared and productive and shows that they have built mutually supportive working relationships established with colleagues inside and outside the learning and development function, as appropriate to the project, to support achievement of business goals /benefits. Links to assessment criteria: S9, S15, B9 Demonstrates using examples an understanding and insight that goes beyond their role, proactively discusses and demonstrates a wider understanding of the challenges and issues facing organisations in the sector/business and how those impact on their work. This will be demonstrated within the professional discussion. Links to assessment criteria: B7

Presentation and Q&A based on Learning Journal Your learning journal must be submitted at your gateway review. Your employer must sign off your learning journal before it is submitted. The learning journal must be completed on programme and will not be directly assessed but will inform the presentation and Q&A session. You should start your learning journal at the start of your apprenticeship programme and continue to use it through-out your entire apprenticeship programme. You are encouraged to be creative with how you create and record your learning journal, including using digital and learning technologies, such as blogs, video diaries and social media, as well as the more traditional paperbased methods. Your End-point Assessor will assess not only the content of your presentation but your delivery style, clarity and communication skills. The Presentation must focus on how you have demonstrated the skills, knowledge and behaviours within the standard (see grading statements below), giving competency-based examples on how you have demonstrated these. The journal should contain reflective learning that has taken place both on and off the job. The learning journal should include regular updated summarises, consisting of a selfassessment comparing where you started in your development to where you currently are in relation to the required skills, knowledge and behaviour. The presentation should not be used to further reflect on your journey through the apprenticeship. The Q&A session will follow directly on from the presentation, it is part of the same assessment. Your End-point Assessor will ask you 5-7 open questions, which follow up probing questions to seek clarification where needed. The questions will be asked to further test components of the learning journal highlighted as needing further investigation and to test the presentation content. The presentation will last 25 minutes (+/- 10%) and will be followed by a Q&A session lasting 35 minutes (+/- 10%). Your presentation and Q&A session must take

Assessment Services/level 5 Learning and Development Consultant Business Partner v1.1/V1/April 2026

place within 4 weeks of the work-based project being submitted. The work-based project with professional discussion must be sat first, before you can complete the presentation and Q&A based on learning journal. Your professional discussion and presentation should be completed on the same day. The grading statements that will need to be achieved within your professional discussion are listed below. Grading Statements – Professional Discussion supported by a portfolio of evidence Pass Deliver the presentation using appropriate media, which allows clear delivery of the presentation’s points. The apprentice shows competence in their delivery style – for example the key points from the presentation are understood and have links to KSBs. Links to assessment criteria: S16, S18 Demonstrates professional communication skills during the presentation and question & answer session. Links to assessment criteria: S16 Demonstrates within the presentation how they have reflected on and developed their own practice in each of the key themes. The key themes are new and emerging trends and developments in the L&D sector, specialist L&D and leadership. The presentation must be structured around providing competency-based examples for the learning journal. Links to assessment criteria: K2, K3, K4, K12, K13, K14, K18, K19, K20, S4, S6, S7, S8, S10, S14, S16, S17, S18, S20, B1, B3, B4, B6, B10, B11, B12, B13, B14 During questioning, can describe the range of their work and the reasons for the actions evidenced in the Learning Journal. Links to assessment criteria: S16, S20 Shows an understanding of the latest learning practices/trends/emerging thinking within the learning and development sector. For example provides examples of where they have researched and reflected on the latest learning practices/trends/emerging thinking in their Learning Journal. Links to assessment criteria: K4, B3

Assessment Services/level 5 Learning and Development Consultant Business Partner v1.1/V1/April 2026

Articulates an understanding of legislation and policies appropriate to their role/organisation and state why these influence learning design and delivery. Links to assessment criteria: K2 Shows understanding of the merits of different learning channels, providing reason/s for selection of learning channel/s from their learning journal. Links to assessment criteria: K3 Shows understanding of the key components for a successful learning and development function and provide at least one example from their Learning Journal to show how these have supported learning in their workplace. Links to assessment criteria: K12, K13, K14 Describe what is needed in an organisation to foster a learning culture, providing at least one activity they have undertaken/developed in order to develop/enhance the learning culture in their organisation. Links to assessment criteria: S6, S7, S8, S10, S11 Provides an example to demonstrate effective use of their facilitation skills to deliver a learning outcome or demonstrate how they have developed these skills. Links to assessment criteria: S18, S20 Provide examples of how they have responded in a flexible way to challenging or changing work environment, demonstrating how this response was effective. Links to assessment criteria: B10, B12, B13 Demonstrates their relationship management skills and how these have enabled learning outcomes and/or work objectives. The apprentice must provide at least one example from their Learning Journal. Links to assessment criteria: S16, S17, S18, B6, B12 Demonstrates where they acted as a role-model for learning culture and the learning and development profession. Links to assessment criteria: B4, B14 Articulate how Management Information and technology can support learning, providing at least one example from their learning journal to support this. Links to assessment criteria: K18, K19, K20

Assessment Services/level 5 Learning and Development Consultant Business Partner v1.1/V1/April 2026

Demonstrates their ability to develop organisational plans, providing at least one examples of where they have developed these in conjunction with leaders and other departments as required. Links to assessment criteria: S4, S16, S17, B6, B11, B12 Articulate when questioned at least one example of where reflection has supported improvements to their work and continuous development and can provide at least on example of how they actively sought feedback to improve their own performance. Links to assessment criteria: S11, B1, B3 Articulates why feedback is important to quality learning and delivery, illustrating with reference to an example from their Learning Journal where they have done this to support continuous improvement/s. Links to assessment criteria: S11, B3 Articulates their ability to use their communication and interpersonal skills to support the achievement of outcomes and objectives in difficult or changing circumstances, providing an example to illustrate this from their Learning Journal. Links to assessment criteria: S15, S16, B11, B12, B13 Distinction Delivery of the presentation uses more than one relevant media to best get across the presentation’s points, containing examples that are easy to understand and are explicitly linked to the KSB/s they want to demonstrate. Links to assessment criteria: S16 Evidence that their reflective activities show a real focus on improving their leadership skills within the team and for establishing themselves as an expert and/or role-model for learning and development practices. Links to assessment criteria: B4, B14 Demonstrates that they respond well to challenges during the question-andanswer session. For example: they are able to give critically reasoned responses even when challenged. Links to assessment criteria: S20 Provide examples of where their reflective activity, facilitation and/or ideas have created positive change or impact for team/organisation/project. Links to assessment criteria: B1, B3

Assessment Services/level 5 Learning and Development Consultant Business Partner v1.1/V1/April 2026

Demonstrates where they have used their research and understanding of new and emerging trends/practice/thinking to suggest or develop new ideas for practices within their organisation. The apprentice must provide an example of completing this. For example, using knowledge of psychology and neuroscience. Links to assessment criteria: K4, B3 Articulates deep insights into own style and impact and gives an example of how they have used this to read, influence and build relationships with a variety of people including senior managers working within and around politics and formal processes. Links to assessment criteria: B6, B10, B12, B14 Provide an example of how they have connected with peers across the L&D/HR professional community and benchmarked against organisations to bring best practice ideas and innovations back to benefit own organisation and acted as an ambassador/role model in this community themselves. Links to assessment criteria: B1, B3, B4, B14

Assessment Services/level 5 Learning and Development Consultant Business Partner v1.1/V1/April 2026