Herefordshire Duke of Edinburgh's Award competency matrix

The summary below provides the minimum qualifications and competence expected of supervisors and helpers with Award Groups in Herefordshire. Supervisors should always work within the remit of the NGB award they hold.

The nature of each venture will govern the assessment of competence of assistants and helpers. Each case will vary with factors such as the nature of the expedition, the terrain, and the age and experience of the group.

In addition to the qualifications listed below all leaders with "regular, significant or unsupervised contact with young people" should have a CRB check.

Approved Supervisor

The Approved Supervisor is responsible for:

1. Overseeing the safety of Expeditions, Explorations or other adventures proposed
2. The standards of training and the signing of the training page in participants record books
3. The management of the work of the Assistant Supervisors and any Adult helpers.

The minimum competency requirements for the Approved Supervisor are:

1. *NGB qualification e.g. ML, WGL, BEL, CLA; or
2. *Assessed as competent by ML (Bronze level only)
3. First aid qualification (dependant on NGB qualification)
4. Familiar with area in which activity takes place

Assistant Supervisor

The Assistant Supervisor is responsible, under the direction of the Approved Supervisor, to:

1. Accept responsibility for the safety of Expeditions, Exploration or other adventurous projects
2. Assist in the training of young people
3. Be able to act on own initiative, should it be necessary

The minimum competency requirements for the Assistant Supervisor are:

1. **Assessed as competent by Approved Supervisor
2. First Aid qualification (min 4-hours)
3. Familiar with area in which activity takes place
4. Keep a log of experience. Examples of log pages can be found on the MLTUK download library page.

Adult Helper

The Adult Helper is responsible, under the direction of the Approved Supervisor, to:

1. contribute to the safety of activity
2. contribute to the retaining of young people
3. understand and be fully conversant with the safety procedures

The minimum competency requirements for the Assistant Supervisor are:

1. Assessed as competent by Approved Supervisor
2. First Aid Qualification (minimum 4-hours)
3. Familiar with the area in which activity takes place

Definitions

NGB - National Governing Body
ML - Mountain Leader Award. Mountain Leader Training UK
WGL - Walking Group Leader. Mountain Leader Training UK
BEL - Basic Expedition Leadership. Sports Leaders UK
CLA - Countryside Leader Award. Off-site Training page

Competence is "Having sufficient knowledge, understanding and experience, with qualifications and accreditation where appropriate, to fulfil their designated responsibilities."

**Assessing competence:

• Supervisors (Bronze level) - must be assessed against the BEL syllabus and the assessment must be carried out by an ML (summer assessed) or higher. Please contact Herefordshire Council's Duke of Edinburgh's Award Development Officer for more information, email dofeaward@herefordshire.gov.uk or contact Sean Taylor, Outdoor Education Advisor, email staylor@herefordshire.gov.uk.
• Assistant Supervisors/adult helpers - must be assessed as competent to carry out their designated responsibilities by an approved supervisor.