HMIE RATES DofE IMPACT ON YOUNG PEOPLE AS ‘EXCELLENT’

Reports on the HMIe Review of the DofE in Scotland in June 2009 published on 1 September 2009.

Barry Fisher, the DofE Director for Scotland said: “This report is a tremendous endorsement of the hard work of 5,000 volunteers, leaders and staff across the delivery network in Scotland.

I am delighted that the inspectors have recognised the significant impact of the DofE on young people but also the positive impacts that it can have on communities. I am particularly delighted that the inspectors have been able to confirm the importance of the programme in developing life and work skills.” In the report the inspectors identify that the DofE’s impact on young people is ‘Excellent’.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The inspectors report that all the young people that they met had increased confidence and self-esteem and importantly were developing independence, self-reliance and resilience.

The report notes the DofE’s increased work with more marginalised and disaffected young people and the positive impact of DofE programmes on the participants.

The review team visited groups including, Friarton Unit at Perth Prison, Adolescent Mental Health Unit at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital, Army Cadet Force Detachment at Alva, Mclaren High School in Callander, Perth High School, an additional support needs group in Perth, the Scottish Gas Academy, Glasgow and George Watson’s College.

The review notes the high numbers (est. 5,000) of volunteers in delivering DofE programmes and the impact of the regular training and support that they receive and concluded that the impact on voluntary and paid staff and the community was ‘Very Good’.

Following the visits to groups the inspectors have concluded that the DofE provides a significant personal development programme that complements the core activities of a diverse range of providers.

They also note that the programme impacts were aligned to the values, purposes and capacities of a Curriculum for Excellence. In particular the report concludes that the impact on young people with additional support needs is impressive.

The inspectors note important areas for the DofE to improve including developing its capacity to demonstrate the impacts and the outcomes of its work and to work with local authorities to embed the contribution of the DofE within local Single Outcome Agreements.

Chairman of the Scottish Advisory Committee, Bruce Robertson OBE, said: “This report is important for the DofE in Scotland as we aim to further increase the opportunities for many other young people to take part in this life changing programme. I am particularly delighted that the HMIe were able to see how DofE programmes have made a difference to a full range of young people in a variety of settings. The DofE will use this report to further increase the profile of the programme to colleagues in Education, Youth Work, Youth Justice and the voluntary sector. The DofE has an important role to play as we all move towards the new Curriculum experiences in August 2010.”