Thornbury-based Care Lead, Becky, started working in care five years ago. Since then, she’s attained a wide range of qualifications to help deepen her knowledge and confidence, most recently the Level 3 Lead Adult Healthcare Worker apprenticeship.
In this article, Becky shares her experience completing her End-Point Assessment with FuturU, covering how she prepared for the big day and calmed her nerves, and what she’d say to anyone considering doing an apprenticeship.
Could you start by telling us about the apprenticeship you did?
I did the Level 3 Lead Adult Healthcare Worker apprenticeship through Impact Futures. It’s always been something I’ve wanted to do, after completing the Level 2 qualification through my work as well. I’m always looking for ways I can progress in my Care Lead role, and the care home I work at told me to go for it! I’m so glad I did.
How has the apprenticeship helped you in your day-to-day role?
Doing the Level 3 has really helped to broaden my knowledge, but also shown me that I had a lot of the experience needed already.
It’s been especially helpful in more challenging situations – now I can reflect on what I’ve learnt and use that to approach things in the best way. The units on Dementia and family perspectives really stood out, and I’ve been able to take what I’ve learnt and put it into practice to provide the best care I can.
I definitely feel more confident now.
What would you say to someone thinking about doing an apprenticeship?
I’d say definitely go for it! You might think you haven’t got the time – I’m a working mum and was worried about that too. But with the support of your work and the brilliant mentors and tutors you have, you can do it. Everyone that supported me was so understanding, there was never any pressure. You will be fine!
How did you prepare for your End-Point Assessments with FuturU?
As I was nearing the end of my apprenticeship, my mentor did some professional discussion test runs with me to give me an idea of what to expect. We’d talk through what I do in a day at work to get me talking and build my confidence, as I was quite nervous about having those kinds of discussions.
Once I booked my End-Point Assessment I got emailed a link to the FuturU platform, which had loads of revision resources and practice assessments which I found really helpful. I didn’t do an EPA at Level 2, so I wasn’t sure what the multiple choice assessment would look like or the kinds of questions that would be asked. So I spent quite a lot of time doing the mock tests and reading through the support articles. It really helped me.
How else did you calm your nerves in the run up to your assessments, and on the day itself?
One of my colleagues, who did her EPA a few weeks before me, reminded me that I was being assessed on stuff I already knew and told me not to worry. And that’s exactly what I’d say to anyone feeling nervous about their assessment – it is all stuff you know, it won’t cover things you haven’t done.
On the day of my assessment, my assessor explained that they weren’t there to catch me out in any way shape or form – they don’t want people to fail. That really put my mind at rest too.
Looking back now, I realise there really wasn’t anything to be nervous about!
What was your experience like on the day?
So I received confirmation emails with the times of my assessments and links to join, and then on the day itself, I got a call from my assessor to introduce herself and talk me through the process. She talked me through it step-by-step, and I had a chance to ask questions too.
During the assessment itself, my assessor was super accommodating, supporting me through some technical issues I had.
There’s nothing I’d change about the experience I had with FuturU or my training provider. Everything was explained so well throughout.
What advice would you give to someone preparing for their End-Point Assessment?
It would be not to worry, but I know that’s easier said than done! Really the biggest thing for me was the assessor saying that they’re not there to catch you out, they’re there to help you pass.
Really all I can say is just go for it – people are there to help you, there’s always support out there, you just need to ask. You’re never alone.
What’s next for you?
I feel motivated to keep learning. You always think you can’t do something, but then you do it and realise you absolutely can.
