eDofE Expedition section temporary changes – #DofEWithADifference

It's now clear that the long-lasting effects of the COVID-19 pandemic will mean LOs will face real barriers in delivering 'traditional' expeditions for some time. To help, we've introduced a number of temporary changes to our expedition requirements that are in effect until 31st October 2023.  You can find out more about the changes here.

Direct to non-direct entrants 

 As per the DofE programme rules, a participant can embark on the next Award level when they have: 

• completed at least one section (and had this approved by a Leader) 
• reached the minimum age requirements for the next level. 

If a participant starts their next level before they have fully completed the lower level (i.e. start Silver before Bronze has been completely finished), they will be added as a direct entrant. As a direct entrant, participants are required to complete an additional six months of either the Volunteering section or the longer of the Physical or Skills section. 

However, in light of the temporary changes, if a Bronze or Silver participant has completed their Skills, Physical and Volunteering sections – achieving the DofE Certificate of Achievement – any adult with the “Can adjust participant's enrolment and section dates” permission allowed can switch a participant from a direct to non-direct entrant when they start the next Award level. You can find out how to do this here.

For more specific information about Adding a Next Level after achieving a Certificate of Achievement – DofE (edofe.org) click on this link. 

Counting a Silver practice as a Bronze qualifying expedition 

The DofE has introduced a temporary change that allows participants to count a Silver practice expedition as a Bronze qualifying expedition. eDofE does not allow multiple expeditions to be recorded on the same date. To facilitate this flexibility, we have laid out some instructions below. For this to be most effective, we encourage Leaders where possible to enter this information into eDofE on behalf of participants. 

Bronze Expedition section 

1. Mark Bronze expedition training as complete (with the correct date as normal) 
2. Add Bronze qualifying expedition information. The following information can be used to enter the expedition:
   1. Start date: [Date entered must be after the participant’s enrolment date and should be at least two days before the start date that will be entered for the Silver practice expedition] 
   2. Wild country: select [no] 
   3. Expedition location: Bronze/Silver hybrid 
   4. Expedition start point: XX 999 999  
   5. Expedition aim: COVID-19 hybrid Bronze/Silver expedition 
   6. Add Bronze expedition assessor report. Please use the following text: “This was a hybrid Bronze/Silver expedition due to COVID-19. Additional information can be viewed under the Silver practice expedition.” 
   7. The Expedition section at Bronze can now be (directly) approved. 

Silver Expedition section 

If not added already, the Silver Award level can be added to the participant's profile (assuming they meet the age rules). 

1. Add Silver expedition training information. 
2. Add Silver practice expedition information. Please enter the correct details for the expedition that was completed. Remember that the start date must be after the last day of the Bronze expedition that was recorded. The Silver expedition must also be after the Silver enrolment date for the participant. 
3. Add Assessor's Report for Bronze qualifying/Silver practice expedition – please mark this as ‘evidence’ and not as an Assessor’s Report. This must be a statement from the Supervisor on the Silver practice expedition confirming the practice has been completed and used for the participant’s Bronze Award, and that the outcomes of the Expedition section have been met as best they can. 

Counting a Gold practice as a Silver qualifying expedition 

In addition to the above temporary change, participants can count a Gold practice expedition as a Silver qualifying expedition. eDofE does not allow multiple expeditions to be recorded on the same date. To facilitate this flexibility, we have laid out some instructions below. For this to be most effective, we encourage Leaders where possible to enter this information into eDofE on behalf of participants. 

Silver Expedition section

1. Mark Silver expedition training as complete (with the correct date as normal) 
2. Add Silver qualifying expedition information. The following information can be used to enter the expedition: 
   1. Start date: [Date entered must be after the participant’s enrolment date and should be at least three days before the start date that will be entered for the Gold practice expedition] 
   2. Wild country: select [yes/no] 
   3. If Wild Country = no, Expedition location: Silver/Gold hybrid 
   4. Expedition start point: XX 999 999  
   5. Expedition aim: COVID-19 hybrid Silver/Gold expedition 
3. Add Silver expedition Assessor’s Report. Please use the following text:  “This was a hybrid Silver/Gold expedition due to COVID-19. Additional information can be viewed under the Gold practice expedition.” 
4. The Expedition section at Silver can now be (directly) approved. 

Gold Expedition section

If not added already, the Gold Award level can be added to the participant's profile (assuming they meet the age rules). 

1. Add Gold expedition training information. 
2. Add Gold practice expedition information. Please enter the correct details for the expedition that was completed. Remember that the start date must be after the last day of the Silver expedition that was recorded. The Gold expedition must also be after the Gold enrolment date for the participant. 
3. Add Assessor's Report for Silver qualifying/Gold practice expedition – please mark this as ‘evidence’ and not as an Assessor’s Report. This must be a statement from the Supervisor on the Gold practice expedition confirming the practice has been completed and used for the participant’s Silver Award, and that the outcomes of the Expedition section have been met as best they can. 

Additional FAQs 

Should you have any issues, please don't hesitate to email us at edofe@dofe.org