DofE Delivery Framework
The DofE Delivery Framework is a detailed best practice guide for everyone delivering DofE. Regardless of whether you are new to DofE or an experienced Leader it sets out actions across a timeline to support every aspect of running DofE with links to relevant resources.
DofE Delivery Framework
Planning
Planning
- Establish key delivery dates and any additional engagement dates and costs:
- DofE launch event,
- Parent engagement session,
- eDofE launch session,
- Expedition,
- Award events.
- Establish organisations’ DofE budgets, resources and staff capacity.
- Discuss DofE funding opportunities with Operations Officer.
- Use template examples or create letters / sign up forms.
- Order and create posters to promote the DofE.
- Develop links with local opportunities within the community.
- Build a bank of internal volunteering opportunities to support participants.
- Plan Young Leaders Programme recruitment and role responsibilities.
eDofE
- Create DofE Groups / delete old groups.
- Check and / or create adult leader accounts.
- Archive any adult leaders who are no longer involved with delivery.
Comms
- Create DofE communication plan for when key dates, events, assemblies, training and expeditions are taking place.
- Request bespoke DofE Logo.
- Create / review current LO websites / social media channels and ensure all DofE branding is up-to-date.
- Report previous years DofE successes to SLT and update website.
Deliver
- Deliver DofE information with parents/carers.
- Deliver DofE recruitment session to young people.
- Deliver Young Leaders Programme recruitment plans.
- Run drop-in or support sessions to support previous cohorts to completion.
Team
- Brief leaders on their responsibilities. For example:
- how often they should meet with young people,
- appropriate activities,
- how to approve evidence / sections / assessor reports.
- Review DofE staff team and ensure key roles are filled.
- Ensure all staff have completed the relevant and required learning for their role.
- Promote supporting roles withing the organisation. E.g. administrative support.
- Signpost leaders to relevant eDofE learning.
Expeditions
- Read the Expedition Guide.
- Establish delivery model: in-house vs AAP.
- Add dates to any internal/DofE delivery calendar/website.
- Check organisation expedition policy and staffing ratio/notification system.
- Recruit staff to support expeditions.
- Plan delivery of next levels of award (if applicable).
- Agree location, book campsites/transport.
- Plan expedition training following the Expedition training framework.
Delivery
Planning
- Deliver key delivery session.
- Explain DofE expectations and set out clear deadlines.
- Ensure all appropriate adults are aware of their role and which participants they are engaging with.
- Continue to identify all internal clubs and activities that count for DofE.
- Continue to form links with local businesses / community groups for funding support.
eDofE
- Check groups have been created on eDofE.
- Purchase participation places.
- Enrol participants using bulk cohort or create participant function on eDofE.
- Add additional levels to existing accounts (if appropriate).
- Download the participant group spreadsheet which contains usernames / passwords.
- Request Leader Recorded on eDofE if required.
- Check all Young Leaders eDofE accounts are activated.
Comms
- Share information on how to login and activate eDofE accounts and the participant’s next steps.
- Identify any potential stories / case studies to track.
- Promote internal sectional opportunities and share key deadlines with parents, carers and young people.
Deliver
- Hold a planning meeting with participants and remind them to come prepared with their activities and assessors’ details. Signpost to internal activities and Complete eDofE launch session.
- Check all programme planners have been added and approve planners.
- Signpost relevant young people to the Young Leaders Programme.
Team
- Support team to action alerts on eDofE (including approving programme planners).
- Ensure all leaders are aware of assessor reports requirements.
- Task a team member with checking in on participants who are showing as new (not logged in).
- Team to check sections in draft and support participants to submit them.
Expedition
- Confirm staff availability.
- Register and affiliate new Expedition Assessors and check existing Assessors expiry dates.
Engagement
Planning
- Plan celebration event and engage young people to be involved in the planning of the event.
- Order Certificates and badges.
- Engage young Leaders or other participants to support at promotional / celebration events.
eDofE
- Check eDofE regularly.
- Follow up those showing as ‘New’.
- Action any alerts, follow up on programme planners still in draft and sections not started.
- Archive any leavers or move them into a specific leavers group.
- Show ‘My Achievements’ to participants.
Comms
- Update parents/carers on progress, a share information on how to complete a section.
- Promote Dofe expeditions on social media.
- Promote awards events on social media/newsletter/email etc.
- Promote sectional completion or any good news stories.
- Discuss comms with participants, leaders and other adults about the impact of the DofE involvement.
Deliver
- Arrange 1-2-1 or small group catch ups with participants.
- Review current volunteering section engagement rates and provide support to young people to find sections.
- Where appropriate, signpost to our Opportunity Finder.
- Run completion sessions and ensure all assessor reports are added to eDofE.
- Ensure participants have uploaded all programme planners and conduct a surgery session for those without activities registered.
- Use sectional certificates / rewards to boost section completions.
Team
- Check adult alerts and arrange team meeting to discuss approving awards for verification.
- Liaise with DofE team and identify participants who need additional support. Leaders should reach out to all relevant participants.
Expedition
- Plan and complete pre-expedition checks (including participants’ training level).
- Deliver training and prepare routes for practice (if applicable) and qualifying.
- Complete eDofE Expedition set up.
- Seek approval for your expeditions according to your organisation’s policies and procedures.
- Complete Risk Assessment.
- Check kit inventory is appropriate for expeditions.
- Send out any remaining letters to parents regarding expedition dates / costs.
- If using a new location, visit in person to support risk assessment and route planning.
Completion
Planning
- Review delivery model and plan for next year.
- Share review with Senior Leadership Team (SLT) and work with SLT / Operations Officer to tackle any issues or progression opportunities.
- Review all certificates on eDofE and ensure adults are made aware of their responsibility to print.
- Complete final planning for celebration event.
eDofE
- Use eDofE or the participants spreadsheet to highlight sections left to complete.
- Check award approvals and print certificates.
- Check Gold participants have completed the Gold Award Celebration Event information.
Comms
- Update on progress and progression to participants, parents, tutors etc.
- Celebrate achievement on social media / newsletters.
- Feedback positive case studies, leaver stories and progression after DofE.
- Publicly recognise efforts of the DofE Team.
Deliver
- Run final completion session for all levels.
- Deliver celebration event.
- Promote the next award level, if applicable, to your Bronze and Silver participants, as well as Youth Ambassador (over 16) and Young Leaders opportunities.
Team
- Conduct a debrief with staff. Address any room for improvement or successes. Thank team for their support.
- Promote leadership / volunteering opportunities to DofE achievers / leaders.
- Review staff team commitment and check who is continuing in their DofE role.
Expedition
- Ensure all expedition assessor reports are submitted, especially if using an AAP.
- Use the directly approve function to ensure assessor reports have been submitted and marked correctly.
- Review expedition delivery and training.
- Submit any incidents, accidents or near misses to the DofE.
