Residential Requirements

You’re required to meet the Residential Requirements to complete the section. The requirements have flexibilities built in to suit individual needs, so be sure to talk to your Leader and provider before the residential.

1. You must be away from home for a minimum of five days and four nights. These should be consecutive but can be split into two blocks within 12 months.
2. You should be in an unfamiliar residential setting.
3. You must stay in shared accommodation with your group for the entire residential. This shouldn’t include staying with friends or relatives.
4. Shared activities should take place during the day and the evening and must be purposeful, group-based, and unpaid. This could be training courses, environment and conservation projects, volunteering or be activity-based.
5. The majority of participants should be unknown to you.
6. Groups should have at least five people, including you.
7. The majority of staff should be unknown to you.
8. You should research suitable activities, discuss your interests with your DofE Leader, and follow any pre-activity instructions.
9. Your Licensed Organisation must approve the planned residential and the named Assessor in advance.
10. Flexibilities are available to ensure that participants with specific individual needs can access a residential. These could include:

• Participants can request downtime away from activities
• Carers are allowed
• Participants with specific individual needs can attend with their Leaders.

Any flexibilities should be in keeping with the Guiding Principles of the aim, principles and outcomes of the Residential section. The flexibilities should also reflect a participant’s individual needs and should be discussed and agreed before approval.