Parents and Carers

When your child does their DofE programme they’ll develop the skills and attitudes they need to become more rounded, confident adults. Qualities that colleges, universities and employers are attracted to. So when you support your child’s pursuit of their Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, you’re investing in their future.

You can expect to see your child develop in the following areas as they work through their DofE programme:

– Self-belief and self-confidence

– A sense of identity

– Initiative and a sense of responsibility

– A real awareness of their strengths

– New talents and abilities

– The ability to plan and use time effectively

– Learning from and giving to others in the community

– Forming new friendships

– Problem solving, presentation and communication skills

– Leadership and team-working skills

Participants are responsible for creating and doing their own DofE programmes, but parents and carers can play an important role in supporting them. If you’re new to DofE, you can get a parent’s perspective by watching the films below, created by DofE.

How can you help?

Just as you support and guide your child in other areas of their life, they’ll appreciate the same for their DofE. This could include encouraging them to keep their eDofE pages up to date, giving them lifts to activities and providing financial support for kit and equipment. DofE programmes can be challenging so you can really help to keep them motivated.

Tips to help participants

1. Get the evidence - Remind them to keep gathering their evidence, e.g. photographs/certificates, and uploading it to eDofE.

2. Help find an Assessor - Every young person needs to find an Assessor to sign off each DofE section. The Assessor can be anyone who knows about or organises the activity. It might be the gym or sports instructor, art teacher, club or volunteering event organiser and so on. It cannot be a family member.

3. Financial support - Your child will receive a personalised DofE Card when they start their Award. This gives at least 10% off at our recommended retailers, helping you save on expedition kit and other items needed for their DofE. As an Academy we provide students with group expedition equipment including tents, stoves and rucksacks, however, they will need to have personal expedition equipment such as a sleeping bag.

4. Prove it - As their programme comes to an end you can remind them to make sure their Assessors write their reports so that they can complete the section.

5. Use it - Ensure they include their DofE involvement and achievements in their CV or personal statement.