Your County - Putting Kent First

Kent 4 star Council

Award leaders

The award. Take the Challenge

Young people can take part in The Duke of Edinburgh's Award through different types of Award groups and centres.

Award groups are run by adults (Award leaders), many of whom are volunteeers. They include youth workers, teachers, employers, trainers, instructors, assessors and individuals from the community.

They all share one thing in common: they are keen to share their skills, enthusiasm and organising abilities to help young people reach their potential.

The role of Award leaders

Award leaders oversee the running of the Award within a group and they are the key link between young people, our Youth Service (who run the Awards in Kent) and parents.

They can be involved in as little or as much of the detailed running of the programme as they wish, although they are responsible for ensuring the overall quality of the Award experience.

The Duke of Edinburgh's Award has three levels: bronze, silver and gold.

In each of these levels, participants need to complete four sections:

  • Service (helping other people in the local community)
  • Skills (covering almost any hobby, skill or interest)
  • Physical recreation (sport, dance and fitness)
  • Expeditions (training for, planning and completing a journey on foot, horseback, boat or bike)

Gold Award participants also get the chance to take part in a residential project.

Award leaders often get involved in instructing, supervising and assessing young people in their completion of any of the sections of each Award level.

Award leaders
Award leaders must have plenty of enthusiasm!

Copyright Kent County Council 2009