Duke of Edinburgh's Award -Information for Leaders
Welcome to the DofE page specifically set up for you as leaders. Here you will find information on getting started with the award in your unit or network, details of how to administer award admin, and details of any forthcoming training courses available to you.
Getting Started
The Scout Association is registered with the DofE as a National Operating Authority.
This means that any Explorer Scout Unit, or Scout Network is automatically registered as an award group, and for you as leaders this makes life relatively easy. There are no application forms for you to fill in as a group, and no compulsory training courses that you are required to do to run the award within your unit.
It is however recommended, if possible, that you attend an ‘Intro to the Award’ course, especially if you are relatively new to the DofE scheme, or alternatively if you wish to update yourself on changed within the award structure over the years.
How does it fit in with Scouts?
Well, quite easily. The Chief Scout’s Platinum, Diamond and Queens Scout awards have been designed to run in parallel with DofE. ie, if you complete the scout awards then you have also completed the relevant DofE award too. There is a leaflet available entitled ‘A Perfect Match’ which explains everything more clearly. perfectmatch.pdf
The main difference with DofE is that you MUST register with the scheme for activities to count, it cannot subsequently be backdated.
Registering Young People
Scouts can start to work towards their awards once they reach the qualifying age for their particular level. These are:
Bronze 14
Silver 15
Gold 16
All registrations are managed locally through me. Simply ask them to fill out the application form, and once I receive it then I will forward on the record book pack directly to the young person.
Working towards their awards
The DofE scheme has 4 main areas, details of which can be found on the participant pages. As an award leader I strongly recommend that you check with the young person that the activities they have chosen fit correctly into the relevant categories for that section. All approved activities can be found on the award website. Links below.
Expeditions
This is the one section of the award that as a leader you will have the most input and organisation into. It is your responsibility to ensure that the expedition fulfils the 20 conditions as stipulated by the DofE, that all paperwork is completed satisfactorily, and that you have arranged for an approved assessor to assess the final qualifying venture. It all sounds very daunting, but with a little understanding and organisation then it really is very simple.
Expedition 20 conditions
A list of these with accompanying notes can be found here. 20 conditions - Leaders.pdf
Forms
If you are planning an expedition in normal rural open countryside, then no formal paperwork needs to be completed as far as DofE is concerned. You will of course have to follow POR requirements in terms of letting relevant people know that you are going on expedition within the guidelines of your Nights Away and Activity Permit.
For expedition in the White Peak, then the Peak Area Network (formally known as the Peak Panel) require you to notify them and fill out a Red Form. Red Form (Peak Panel).doc
For ALL expeditions entering Wild Country, then a Green Form MUST be submitted to the relevant Area Network a minimum of 4 weeks prior to your expedition, or 6 weeks if you require them to provide an assessor. Green Form.doc
Details of Wild Country areas and their contact details can be found here. Wild Country Expedition Areas
For all expedition abroad then a Blue form must be submitted to Gilwell. Blue Form (2007).doc
Variations to the 20 conditions
In exceptional circumstances it may be possible to apply for a variation to 1 or more of the 20 conditions. This may be to incorporate illness or injury, or special needs candidates. All variation applications must be submitted to Jess Kelly at Gilwell a minimum of 3 months prior to the expedition date.
Expedition Variations process map.pdf
Variations Application Form.doc
Award Completions
For award completions at Bronze and Silver, then award books are forwarded to me. I will then check that the award sections are completed and arrange for a Certificate and Badge to be sent to the relevant DC for presentation.
Gold awards are slightly different. Applicants must complete the Gold Award Notification form and this is then forwarded directly to Jess Kelly at Gilwell Park.
Resources
The leaders section on the DofE website has lots of documents and information available to download. I would also strongly recommend that as an award leader you purchase, and are familiar with, the Award Handbook.
Anyone attending an ‘Intro to the Award’ course will receive these as part of the training package, alternatively they are available to purchase from the Award Shop. Award Shop
Training opportunities
Courses are being run nationally throughout the winter season. Course dates and venues are published on Scoutbase, in the DofE section under training.
The dates for the Warwickshire courses are as follows:
Sat 16th January - Introduction to the Award and Expedition Supervisor Guidelines
Sun 17th January - Expedition Assessor Accreditation Scheme
Venue - King Edward VI School, Stratford-upon-Avon
Both courses 9am - 4:30pm, lunch included
Introduction to the Award & Expedition Supervisor Guidelines
This is an Introduction to the Award course. It is an ideal opportunity for those who wish to run DofE within a unit to learn more about it. There will be an overview of all the sections, an enhanced expedition section to include advice on expedition supervision, a brief intro to eDofE. There will also be short workshops to include getting started within your group, how to use the DofE website and administration of expedition paperwork. You will also receive an award handbook to keep.
Please note that this course is not compulsory, but highly recommended if you wish to run the award within your group. Bookings are via the Scoutbase DofE page.
Expedition Assessor Accreditation Scheme (EAAS)
This is compulsory course for anyone wishing to assess DofE expeditions from March 2010 onwards. The course will cover a basic outline of the role and responsibilities of the assessor, the 20 conditions of the expedition sections, methods of assessment, variations to the conditions and assessing techniques.
Bookings are via Scoutbase DofE page.
Note: anyone who is already a registered assessor on this new scheme through another operating authority does not need to attend this course, your qualification is transferrable.
If you are unable to attend this course however you wish to run the award or become an assessor, then please contact me to discuss other options.
And finally!
If you have any queries realting to DofE in general, then please visit the award website in the first instance. There is lots of information for both leaders and participants on there, including all the section information and guidelines. www.dofe.org.uk
If you have any other questions then please do not hesitate to get in touch, if I can't answer your immediately then there is good chance I know someone who can.
Best wishes
Helen Heenan
DofE Advisor, Warwickshire Scouts