ELC additional guidance

• Each team must have a Supervisor who; holds a current qualification relevant to the terrain where the expedition is taking place AND completed the DofE Expedition Supervisors course.

• An expedition Supervisor should only be responsible for one team.

• All residential/ overnight expeds. must have a minimum of 2 staff.

These are all the updated DofE changes to expedition guidance (post COVID) as of November 2023

ELC additional guidance

• Bronze training must include a practice expedition of a minimum 2 days, 1 night.

• All practice expeditions should follow the same format as the qualifying expedition i.e. same number of days/ nights/ mode of transport/ sleeping arrangements/ similar terrain etc.

• Expeditions should take place between 1st April & 30th September.

ELC additional guidance

Please make sure ALL pupils participating in an assessed expedition, have completed ALL relevant training and practice expeditions to the required standard.  All assessed expeditions should be remotely supervised where safe to do so.

Weather forecasts must always be checked before embarking on outdoor training or expeditions.  If there is a Met Office weather warning in place for any part of the expedition a further Risk Assessment must be carried out.

Red - Do not embark on the event if the forecast is for a Red Weather Warning

Amber- Consider postponing the event or moving to plan B.  If your revised risk assessment concludes you are going to carry on with the event or move to plan B, this needs to be in writing and added/uploaded to the EVOLVE form.

Yellow - Risk Assess accordingly and add/upload any significant changes to your EVOLVE form

Met office Weather Warnings Guide - HERE

• Team members may carry mobile phones, they should be fully charged, turned off, placed in a plastic bag and sealed with tape.  In an emergency, phones can be used, as per the teams training on emergency procedures.

• Each team may either have one team members phone turned on or ideally, be carrying an older type 'brick' phone so that there can be two way communication between the team and supervisory staff if needed.

• The expedition area should be checked (where possible) for phone signal availability along the route and phone network differences.

• If phones are requested for taking photos, options can include using phones without sim cards or older style digital cameras.

• Any agreements regarding phones should be shared with parents and carers at the initial sign up or information sharing event, when expectations are set and agreed upon by all.  This may also involve a signed pupil/parent/staff contract or agreement.