ACADEMY BOOKLET DRAFT 1[53]

Apprenticeship Learner Handbook A practical guide for apprentice learners. peabody.org.uk

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Apprenticeship Learner Handbook

Introduction Welcome to the Academy. Your apprenticeship is designed to support you to develop professionally while performing confidently in your role.

All our apprentices are employed in a variety of roles, contributing to services and customers while developing the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed for progression, with learning tailored to your role, experience and career goals.

This handbook sets out how your apprenticeship works, the support available to you, and what responsibilities we all share. You can return to it at any point during your programme.

Apprenticeship Learner Handbook

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About apprenticeship standards Apprenticeship standards are employer‑designed training programmes aligned to specific job roles. Each standard sets out the required:

Knowledge

Skills

Behaviours

what you need to understand

what you need to be able to do

how you demonstrate professionalism and capability at work

Your learning programme, assessment activities and end‑point assessment (EPA) are all mapped directly to your role and apprenticeship standard.

Throughout your programme, you’ll be supported by:

A skills trainer who supports your learning, assessment and progress

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Your line manager or mentor who supports your development in your job role

The safeguarding and learner experience specialist

Apprenticeship Learner Handbook

1 | Your learning journey Initial assessment and enrolment

Before starting your apprenticeship, you completed an initial assessment. This helped us to understand: • your job role and responsibilities • your existing skills and experience • any learning, wellbeing or reasonable‑adjustment needs

suitable teaching, support and assessment will be provided.

Induction

This information informed your personalised training plan. Where you had relevant prior learning or qualifications, this may have reduced the length or content of your programme. This is known as Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and is agreed before enrolment.

Your induction introduces you to: • how your apprenticeship fits alongside your role • on‑ and off‑the‑job learning expectations • your training plan • progress review arrangements • assessment and end‑point assessment (EPA) • safeguarding, wellbeing and professional conduct • how to use OneFile, our learning and evidence platform

Inclusion and learner support

Off‑the‑job learning (OTJ)

We are committed to inclusive practice and supporting every apprentice to succeed in their role and apprenticeship. Support is built into our programmes and tailored to individual needs.

As part of enrolment, all learners complete a Cognassist assessment. This helps us understand how you prefer to learn and where additional support or adjustments may be helpful. The assessment is used to inform your personalised training plan and does not limit access to any programme.

Where a potential need is identified, your Skills Trainer will complete a Further Needs Assessment. This helps identify appropriate support strategies or reasonable adjustments to support your learning and progression. Any agreed support will be discussed with you and reviewed throughout your programme.

Support needs can be raised at any point during your apprenticeship with your Skills Trainer, line manager or the Safeguarding and Learner Experience Specialist.

English and maths (functional skills)

Apprentices are encouraged to develop their English and maths skills in line with apprenticeship funding guidance. Where appropriate and agreed at initial assessment, Functional Skills in English and/or maths can be included within your programme. If undertaken, Apprenticeship Learner Handbook

As part of your apprenticeship, you will complete the equivalent of at least 6 hours per week of off‑the‑job learning, during paid working time.

Off‑the‑job learning is: • learning that develops new knowledge or skills • directly relevant to your role and apprenticeship standard • separate from your normal day‑to‑day duties Examples include structured training sessions, shadowing, project work, research, reflective learning and independent study.

You are responsible for recording off‑the‑job learning accurately in OneFile. Your line manager and Skills Trainer will support you in planning suitable activities.

Progress reviews

Every 8–10 weeks, you’ll take part in a three‑way progress review with your Skills Trainer and line manager.

Progress reviews are an opportunity to: • review progress against agreed targets • confirm off‑the‑job learning completed • agree next steps and priorities • discuss workload, wellbeing or support needs • review and update your learning and development goals

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OneFile – your learning platform

Learner voice

Workplace support and line management

Attendance, engagement and breaks in learning

OneFile is where you: • access learning materials • upload evidence and assessments • record off‑the‑job learning • receive feedback and messages • track progress towards completion

As an apprentice in employment, your line manager plays an important role in supporting your apprenticeship. This includes: • supporting you to apply learning in your role • providing opportunities to develop new skills • allowing time for off‑the‑job learning • contributing to progress reviews

Wider organisational support and opportunities

As an apprentice, you are also an employee of the organisation and have access to the same policies, support and development opportunities as other colleagues.

In addition to your apprenticeship training, you may have access to: • organisational learning and development resources • internal EDI networks, events and communities of practice • wellbeing support and our employee assistance programme • enrichment opportunities, including cross organisational masterclasses, workshops and initiatives Relevant organisational policies and guidance are available through the Vine on Workvivo, your line manager, Skills Trainer or the Safeguarding and Learner Experience Specialist can help you access these if needed.

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We value feedback from learners and use it to improve our programmes. You can share your views through: • progress reviews • learner surveys • feedback forums or focus groups

You’re expected to maintain professional attendance and engagement throughout your apprenticeship.

If you’re absent, follow our normal absence procedures and inform your line manager.

If your circumstances change significantly (for example, illness, caring responsibilities or pregnancy), speak to your line manager and Skills Trainer as soon as possible.

A break in learning may be agreed where appropriate.

Career development and progression

Your apprenticeship supports both your current performance and future progression. Throughout your programme, you’ll be supported through a range of development opportunities, including: • personal and professional development planning • reflective learning activities • career discussions and progression planning • access to enrichment opportunities, such as masterclasses, workshops and events • a range of learning resources to support wider knowledge, skills and behaviours • preparation for progression, promotion or further development

Apprenticeship Learner Handbook

2 | Assessment and End‑Point Assessment (EPA) Ongoing assessment

Your Skills Trainer will assess your progress throughout the programme, providing feedback, stretch and challenge. Practice and mock assessments will help you prepare for EPA. If you require reasonable adjustments for assessment, discuss this with your Skills Trainer as early as possible.

Gateway

Gateway is the formal stage that confirms you’re ready for EPA. To pass Gateway, you must: • demonstrate occupational competence • complete required training and learning • meet the minimum programme duration • achieve Functional Skills (where required)

End‑Point Assessment (EPA)

EPA is the final, independent assessment of your apprenticeship. Depending on the standard, this may include observation, projects, professional discussion, presentations or tests.

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3 | Shared commitments

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What you can expect from the academy

What we expect from you

• professional, respectful and inclusive support • high‑quality training and assessment • regular progress monitoring • a focus on wellbeing and learner experience • clear and timely communication

• active engagement with learning • meeting agreed deadlines • accurate recording of off‑the‑job learning • honest communication about challenges • compliance with organisational and Academy policies

Apprenticeship Learner Handbook

Safeguarding

Safeguarding means supporting your safety, wellbeing and dignity at work and in learning. This includes: • mental health and wellbeing • bullying, harassment or abuse • online safety • exploitation or coercion • radicalisation and extremism (Prevent)

Equality, diversity and inclusion

We are committed to fair treatment and inclusive practice. Discrimination or harassment will not be tolerated on any protected characteristic.

Concerns should be raised with your Skills Trainer, line manager or Safeguarding & Learner Experience Specialist.

Online safety and data protection

We operate a zero‑tolerance approach to abuse and harmful behaviour.

All learners complete online safety learning.

Personal data is handled in line with GDPR and organisational policy.

Reporting a concern

Policies and professional conduct

If you have a concern about your own safety and wellbeing or someone else’s, speak to your Skills Trainer or contact a Designated Safeguarding Lead: Amber Seedat Safeguarding & Learner Experience Specialist amber.seedat@peabody.org.uk 07885 449555 Edyta White Apprenticeship Quality Manager Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead edyta.white@peabody.org.uk 07867346597 Academy Safeguarding policies and procedures are available on OneFile.

Key policies are available on OneFile, including: • Behaviour for Learning • Complaints and Appeals • Safeguarding and Prevent Learners are expected to act professionally at all times. Serious breaches may result in withdrawal from the programme.

Final note

Your apprenticeship is a partnership between you, your line manager and the Academy. By engaging fully and seeking support when needed, you’ll gain maximum benefit from your learning experience.

We’re pleased to support you on your apprenticeship journey.

Prevent and British values

We meet our Prevent duty by promoting inclusion, critical thinking and respect for others, and by responding appropriately to concerns about radicalisation.

Apprenticeship Learner Handbook

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