Managing DofE

• Volunteering needs to be for an average of an hour a week for between 3 and 18 months depending on the award they're completing.
• They can do two hours every other week or (exceptionally) one day per month, for example when doing a conservation project which meets for a whole day once a month. The start and end dates must be the relevant number of months apart.
• Training can take up to 25% of the volunteering time, eg doing a first aid course to be a first aider at events for a charity.
• The DofE has guidance on volunteering for businesses. This needs to be in a suitable role and not replacing the role a paid staff member would do. 
• They'll need to complete the appropriate training modules if they're volunteering within Scouts: including a minimum of Module A of the Young Leaders' Scheme or the Growing Roots modules of the Adult Training Scheme, depending on how old they are. They should also be given a copy of the Orange Card (Young Leader) or Yellow Card (adult volunteers).
• We are looking for progression at each level of the Award - for those volunteering with Scouts, that might be taking on more responsibility, completing additional training or their missions (however completion of additional training is not mandatory).
• Have a look at the DofE volunteering FAQs.

• People often confuse the physical section and the skills section. A good way to tell the difference is to remember that anything which takes physical effort and makes someone sweat can be classed as a physical activity. Anything else can be classed as a skill.
• Please check the DofE Physical programme ideas. For example marksmanship (shooting) is usually a skill, whereas archery is a physical activity.
• There really is an activity for every young person, even if they don't see themselves as sporty. It's just about finding one which excites and interests them enough to follow through with.
• To complete this section of the Award, they'll need to take part in their chosen activity for an hour a week on average, for 3-18 months (depending on their Award level and the choices they've made in the other sections).
• Some more expensive activities, like scuba diving, can be 'condensed' to allow young people to take part. They still need to average an hour a week with the first and last sessions being the relevant number of months apart (see FAQs below).
• Young people might want to try something completely new, or they might prefer to develop an existing hobby, improving their stamina and skill. Remember: lots of the activities they're already completing through Scouts – like canoeing, caving, rock climbing, rowing, sailing or walking – could be a great match.
• If an activity's completed through Scouts (run by us), make sure it's in line with Policy, Organisation and Rules.
• Many of the activities listed below also count towards other activity badges.
• Have a look at the DofE Physical FAQs for more examples.

• People often confuse the physical section and the skills section. A good way to tell the difference is to remember that anything which takes physical effort and makes someone sweat can be classed as a physical activity. Anything else can be classed as a skill.
• If in doubt, take a look at the DofE skills programme ideas.
• There really is a skill for everyone to enjoy and develop in. It's just about finding one which excites and interests them enough to follow through with.
• To complete this section of the Award, they'll need to take part in their chosen skill for an hour a week on average, for 3-18 months (depending on their Award level and the choices they've made in the other sections).
• Young people might want to try something completely new, or they might prefer to develop an existing hobby, improving their stamina and skill. Remember: lots of the activities they're already completing through Scouts could be a great match.
• If an activity's completed through Scouts, make sure it's in line with Policy, Organisation and Rules.
• Many of the activities listed below also count towards other activity badges.
• Have a look at the DofE Skill FAQs.

• All expeditions need to be notified to the DofE Lead to make sure that the DofE expedition requirements are met.
• The assessor should be checked to make sure they're registered with Scouts and have a current assessor accreditation on eDofE.
• Here's an example expedition notification form and example online registration form.
• DofE Leads could consider running open expeditions to support groups or districts who cannot get numbers to run their own expeditions.
• The DofE advertises expeditions via the DofE opportunity finder and any Scouts expeditions will be on the Top Award opportunities page.

• All residentials need to be approved by the DofE lead to make sure the DofE Residential requirements are met.
• Here is an example residential approval form which you should upload to eDofE as evidence.
• If you are unsure if a residential meets the requirements, you can email [email protected] for advice.
• Find opportunities for residentials with approved activity providers on the DofE opportunity finder and Scouts residentials on the Top Awards opportunities page. 

DofE will send updates to leaders registered on eDofE, but you'll want to communicate with DofE leaders in your county. Here are some ideas:

• Create a webpage with key information, eg registering, expeditions etc.
• Make sure your contact details are easily accessible on the county website, ideally using a Scouts email address.

• Support all districts to have a DofE provision and complete their Top Awards.
• Use the 'one section to complete' report to encourage participants to complete.
• Use people who have completed their Award to become ambassadors to promote the Award.
• Have a County DofE group for Network and others who are not directly supported locally (you can have a virtual DofE leader and online drop ins).

• Bronze and Silver expeditions will often happen in districts - encourage groups to support each other and offer spaces to those who do not have a group.
• Consider building up a team of expedition supervisors and assessors to run County run expeditions to supplement local provision - particularly at Gold level.
• Create a list of assessors who can support groups/districts without access to local assessors and/or people visiting your county.

• Create a local bank of opportunities within Scouting (local campsites, activity clubs etc) to help participants complete their sections.
• Share any local opportunities via your communication channels.

• Link with your County Explorer and Network Lead to provide advice and support.
• Think about how you can encourage young people to complete their Scout Top Awards.

• When you verify awards, keep notes of any quality issues eg evidence of young leader training and assessor reports, and make sure you include reminders in your communications.
• Check in with assessors after expeditions and collate any best practice/challenges and share.

• Check for and approve Awards at least every 2 weeks.
• Check 'Directly Approve' periodically and remind leaders where there are sections awaiting approval.
• Check any queried Awards and remind participants and leaders to respond to your comments to enable them to complete.
• Use the reporting function to check for participants who have not logged in for a year or more, as after two years we lose access to their personal details.
• Encourage leaders to archive people who have left Scouts and are not intending to complete their Award.
• Use the reporting function to check for adults who have not logged in recently - this ensures people are active to support participants.