Welcome to the April edition of Innovate's updates. Here you will find everything you need to know this month across our Qualifications and Apprenticeship services. 

If you haven’t already, we encourage you to explore our new assessment approach - Blended Assessment (provider-assessed) and Total Assessment (Innovate-assessed). Launched in Autumn 2025, this model positions us at the forefront of what is increasingly becoming the standard approach across the sector.

In addition, our invigilation service, Vantage, continues to gain strong traction, with multiple colleges and providers signing up since its launch in March. We are also pleased to report consistently high user trust scores of 4.8+.

The direction of travel is clear: a more targeted, outcome-driven system with a stronger focus on younger learners and greater flexibility in delivery. As your assessment partner, we are well positioned to support you through these changes - helping you navigate the evolving landscape, maximising both learner success and commercial opportunity.

Policy Roundup

Over the past month, there has been a steady rollout of new apprenticeship and foundation apprenticeship standards, including in hospitality and retail - sectors where Innovate has a strong, market-leading offer. The Level 2 Administration Assistant has now been confirmed for launch in August 2026 and is expected to become a key entry route for younger learners, with clear progression into broader business administration pathways. If you are interested in this apprenticeship, please do get in touch with the team so that we can keep you updated as our development of the assessment materials progresses.

At the same time, higher-level leadership and management standards are being phased out, with new starts ending by December 2026. Alongside this, we are seeing increased scrutiny of lower-performing provision, with a sharper focus on outcomes, achievement, and value for money, factors that will increasingly shape future funding and growth.

At Innovate Awarding, we continue to support the system’s growing emphasis on younger learners. Over the coming weeks and months, we will be launching new products and pathways designed to strengthen learner outcomes whilst helping training providers and colleges optimise allocations and differentiate in an increasingly competitive market.

Support Material Updates

Level 2 Trade Supplier

Update to support materials has new KSB references but content and assessment methods remain unchanged.

Portfolio of Evidence Grid (V5) should be submitted at gateway and will be the only version accepted from 1 May 2026

Level 4 Buying and Merchandising Assistant v1.0

New support materials launched on 1 April to be used from the 1 May 2026.

• Assessment Specification

• Assessment Journey Documents

• Portfolio of Evidence Locator

• Work-Based Project Evidence Locator

• Assessment Criteria Content

• Mock EPA Records

Cut off for current materials will be 30 May 2026

Level 2 Health and Social Care Foundation Apprenticeship

Assessment Specification V4 - Clarification of the Portfolio of Evidence examples of evidence and rules around recordings

Level 3 Production Assistant v1.3

All support materials are available on Proficient now.

Level 4 Policy Officer v1.2

All support materials are available on Proficient now.

Previous Standard Versions

The standard versions currently approaching the gateway deadline within the next 6 months are:

Customer Service Specialist 1.0

Early Years Educator 1.2

Senior Healthcare Support Worker 1.4

Team Leader or Supervisor 1.2

Level 4 Lead Practitioner in Adult Care 1.0

Learning and Skills Mentor 1.1

Healthcare Assistant Practitioner 1.0

Forms and Policies

Appeals reminder

As a reminder, our Appeals policy was updated on 1st August 2025. One area we’d like to draw attention to is:

Apprentices who wish to appeal their assessment results, or a decision affecting their achievement, should be supported by the provider. The provider should submit the appeal on behalf of the apprentice using the appropriate form.

Please do ensure you are supporting your apprentices if they wish to appeal.

What is new in Proficient (the new name for epaPRO)

Released

Reporting - Ability to save updates to existing reports

Audit logs – Now added to certification, assessment plan, QA and planning meeting screen

Testing

Background performance improvements and further enhancements to UI

Your thoughts?
We work closely with Skilltech, the company behind epaPRO, so if you have any feedback please do let us know so that we can help to shape future improvements to the platform.

Important message to Qualifications learners

If you completed the IAO Level 3 Diploma in Business Administration (601/3516/5) with EPIC Graduate School between April 2023 and July 2024. Please can you contact us as soon as possible by email to coordinators@innovateawarding.org.

Please share this message with anyone you know who may have completed this qualification. 

New Qualifications

IAO Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care (610/6982/6)

From 1 April 2026 IAO Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care (610/0510/1) is no longer eligible for funding or approved by Skills for Care. New candidates must be enrolled on IAO Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care (610/6982/6). V1 of the specification is now available on the website.

IAO Level 5 Diploma in Leading and Managing an Adult Care Service (610/6952/8)

From 1 April 2026 IAO Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Adult Care (610/0536/8) is no longer eligible for funding or approved by Skills for Care. New candidates must be enrolled on IAO Level 5 Diploma in Leading and Managing an Adult Care Service (610/6952/8). V1 of the specification is now available on the website.

IAO Level 3 Certificate in Foot Health Care (610/6998/X)

This new qualification develops the knowledge, skills and competence required for learners to work as Foot Care Assistants by promoting an awareness of common foot disorders and causes, treatments and the scope of practice at this level. The specification is available on the website.