Making the most of the DofE in schools

Be clear with your participants about what should be included in their Assessor Reports to avoid too many rejections, and backward and forwarding later in the process. Give out example reports – both using the paper report cards and the online submissions – so that they know exactly what is required.

Discuss (one to one if possible) your new participants’ circumstances and expectations to ensure they are fully supported and aware of what will be required.

Use the DofE’s eDofE YouTube videos to support your participants (and Leaders) to get started on the system. Book a group IT session and print out all the usernames to ensure all your pupils get logged on and understand their account. Remind them that they cannot start or complete their DofE without approved Programme Planners and Assessor Reports for each section. Make sure they complete their ‘personal profile’ correctly; this will give you accurate statistics so that you can demonstrate the make up of your group as well as the range of individuals involved when you are building or requesting additional support, resources and funding.

Enrol your participants and make sure you set clear (and realistic) deadlines early on to give them something to aim for. Notify them of the expedition dates so that they can be added to their diaries and be clear about the level of commitment required. Take them through the contents of their Welcome Pack in person to make sure they understand all the elements (or accompany it with a letter which outlines its use). Include a hard copy of the Programme Planner with their enrolment form so that they can start thinking about their sectional activities.

If a sufficient budget has been allocated, make sure there is a separate pot of money kept for emergencies or to support those young people who are unable to pay for themselves.

Once you have recruited all of your participants, identify those who are from lower income families and those with additional support needs as they may require extra help (there may be extra funding from within your school or external bursaries available for these purposes). DofE programmes are flexible and can be adapted to suit a young person’s specific needs. Visit the DofE’s additional needs pages for more information and talk to your Operations Officer about flexibility in eDofE for these specific groups.