Queensland Award Operating Authority - Adventurous Journey Supervision Policy

1.	All Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award and Bridge Award Adventurous Journeys (preparation/training/practice/qualifying) must be approved and supervised by an Adventurous Journey Supervisor (AJS).  See Note 1 over page.    

When undertaking an Adventurous Journey, an Award Centre must engage an AJS. An AJS can be:
1.	An AJS attached to your Award Centre 
2.	An AJS from another Award Centre  OR
3.	An External Contractor can be engaged in place of an AJS (e.g. commercially engaged outdoor instructor).

Refer Appendix 1 - Queensland Award Operating Authority - Adventurous Journey Roles and Responsibilities Table.

In the event that an AJS is unable to attend a journey, a temporary AJS can be appointed on a one-off occasion.  
AJS must meet all the qualifications and requirements outlined in:
•	The Duke of Ed Handbook - Sections 2.2.3 and 6.8; and
•	Queensland Award Operating Authority - Adventurous Journey Roles and Responsibilities Table (Appendix 1).

2.	Emergency communication equipment is required for all Outdoor Adventurous Journeys in remote areas (an area where access to professional medical care is greater than one hour away).

When conducting Adventurous Journeys in remote areas, the following communication equipment must be taken:
•	A Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) AND 
•	Two-way communication equipment.

NB: It is recommended that you carry more than one two-way communication device when journeying in remote areas.  A combination of equipment is preferred (See Note 2 over page).

NOTES:
1. Definitions of Supervision:
1.a	Adventurous Journey Supervisors
•	Supervision of all Adventurous Journeys is undertaken by a suitably qualified adult volunteer who has been appointed by the Award Centre. This person is required to be registered as an Urban or Outdoor AJS with the Queensland Award Operating Authority.
•	An AJS must accompany participants under the age of 18 years on all Adventurous Journeys.
•	On preparation/training/practice journeys, the supervision takes the form of journeying alongside the group at all times.
•	On qualifying journeys, if the AJS deems it to be appropriate, it is acceptable for supervision to take the form of shadowing the group.  
•	Shadowing means that rather than the AJS journeying directly alongside the Award participants, they stay geographically close (that is a maximum of 100 metres), and maintain regular communication with participants.  
•	For large groups there are variations for the following two outdoor mediums only:
o	Mountain Biking/On Road Cycling – Supervision can be in the form of separate groups each with an accompanying adult volunteer travelling on routes known to the AJS.  Groups are required to meet with the AJS face-to-face at least every three (3) hours. Radio contact is to be maintained hourly, with two-way communication operable at all times in case of emergency.
o	Bushwalking – Supervision can be in the form of separate groups each with an accompanying adult volunteer travelling on routes known to the AJS.  All groups to remain within contact (radio or voice) of the AJS and within 15 minutes physical access of the AJS along the journey

1.b 	Support roles on Adventurous Journeys
•	Adult volunteers attending an Adventurous Journey can provide support with supervision to the AJS.
•	The AJS has overall responsibility for the AJ including delegation and monitoring of adult volunteers, as well as supervision and instruction of the participants. 
•	Only an AJS is able to lead an Adventurous Journey with participants under the age of 18 years. Adult volunteers may support with supervision, but must always remain within 100 metres of the AJS along the journey, with the exception of the variations outlined in 1a.  (Refer Appendix 1 - Queensland Award Operating Authority - Adventurous Journey Roles and Responsibilities table).

2. Communication Equipment:
2.a	Personal Locator Beacon (PLB)
•	A PLB (e.g. SPOT Tracker) alerts emergency services to your position and will instigate an immediate search and rescue response.
•	A PLB is activated in a life-threatening situation or as a last resort in an emergency when all other communication options have failed. 
      
2.b	Emergency two-way communication device
•	The decision on what type of two-way communication equipment deemed suitable to carry is made by the AJS after a reconnaissance of the venue has been conducted. 
•	This equipment may include a mobile phone and/or a satellite phone, or hand-held UHF radio/s. 
•	
Appendix 1 - Queensland Award Operating Authority (AOA) Adventurous Journey Roles and Responsibilities
This document is to be read in conjunction with the Queensland AOA Adventurous Journey Supervision Policy
Title	Role and Responsibility	Qualifications	
1.		Adventurous Journey Supervisor	
1.1 
Adventurous Journey Supervisor (Urban)

Some Adventurous Journeys are conducted in urban areas, usually as ‘explorations’. This may include a cultural trip. 

	URBAN ADVENTUROUS JOURNEYS
•	Responsible for ensuring safety of the group
•	Oversees risk management procedures for the Award Centre
•	Signs off on all preparation and training, practice and qualifying Adventurous Journeys
•	Prepare, train and mentor Award participants for Adventurous Journeys – sign off participant readiness in terms of Adventurous Journey skills
•	In conjunction with the Award Leader ensure:
o	All participant Adventurous Journey paperwork is completed for the intended Adventurous Journey
o	All Adventurous Journey related paperwork is lodged with Award Centre two weeks before Adventurous Journey commences (including mandatory AC4 - AJ Notification Form)
o	AJ Notification Form (AC4) is lodged with Queensland AOA one week before Adventurous Journey commences (mandatory)
o	AJ Consent Form (P4) is obtained for each participant for every intended Adventurous Journey
o	Co-sign when any Adventurous Journeys are led by an External Contractor or a Temporary Adventurous Journey Supervisor
•	Mentors other Award volunteers
•	Must be present on the urban Adventurous Journey and provide supervision in line with the Queensland AOA Adventurous Journey Supervision Policy
Accountable to:  
•	This person reports to and is accountable to the Award Centre which ensures all compliance and competency requirements
•	This person may also be the Award Leader	URBAN ADVENTUROUS JOURNEYS
•	Must be over 18 years
•	Hold current First Aid + CPR
•	Queensland Duke of Ed Volunteer Code of Conduct form
•	Meet the Queensland Working with Children Check requirements (blue card system), and ensure Blue Card is linked to the Award Centre www.qld.gov.au/bluecard
•	Complete Online Training Module 1 prior to commencing their role and registering participants for Adventurous Journeys
•	Attend an Orientation to Duke of Ed workshop (recommended)
•	This person must be familiar with the Adventurous Journey Section of the Award 
•	Must be highly competent in the activity/type of journey
•	Meet any applicable compliance, licence, qualification requirements 
	
1.2 
Adventurous Journey Supervisor (Outdoor)

	OUTDOOR ADVENTUROUS JOURNEYS
•	Responsible for ensuring safety of the group
•	Oversees Risk Management procedures for the Award Centre
•	Signs off on all preparation and training, practice and qualifying Adventurous Journeys
•	Prepare, train and mentor Award participants for Adventurous Journeys – sign off participant readiness in terms of Adventurous Journey skills
•	In conjunction with the Award Leader ensure:
o	All participant Adventurous Journey paperwork is completed for the intended Adventurous Journey
o	All Adventurous Journey related paperwork (including mandatory AC4 - AJ Notification Form) reaches Award Centre two weeks before Adventurous Journey commences (mandatory)
o	AJ Notification Form (AC4) reaches Queensland AOA one week before Adventurous Journey commences (mandatory) 
o	AJ Consent Form (P4) is obtained for each participant for every intended Adventurous Journey
o	Co-sign when any Adventurous Journeys are led by an External Contractor or a Temporary Adventurous Journey Supervisor
•	Mentors other Award volunteers
•	Must be present on the outdoor Adventurous Journey and provide supervision in line with the Queensland AOA Adventurous Journey Supervision Policy
Accountable to:  
•	This person reports to and is accountable to the Award Centre which ensures all compliance and competency requirements
•	This person may also be the Award Leader	OUTDOOR ADVENTUROUS JOURNEYS
All of the above for Urban Adventurous Journey Supervisors (including Module 1 completion)     
PLUS:
•	Perform First Aid in Remote Situations (PFAIRS) is recommended
•	Must hold relevant qualifications in the outdoor medium/s that the Adventurous Journey Supervisor intends to supervise
•	Qualifications must be current and registered on the Adventurous Journey Supervisor Currency Register through the Queensland AOA 

If working with Award participants over 18 years who wish to undertake their Adventurous Journey independently:
•	Adventurous Journey Supervisor must, in addition to above, have a Certificate IV in Outdoor Leadership or equivalent or a higher outdoor leader qualification. 
•	This qualification must include the relevant outdoor medium being assessed, show currency in this medium, and be registered on the Adventurous Journey Supervisor Currency Register
	
1.3 Adventurous Journey Supervisor from another Award Centre 	The role and responsibilities are the same as above for Outdoor or Urban Adventurous Journey Supervisor

Accountable to:
•	This person is accountable to and is the responsibility of the Award Centre which is engaging them to undertake the Adventurous Journey	•	As outlined above for Adventurous Journey Supervisor (Outdoor or Urban)
•	Ensure Blue Card is linked to the Award Centre that they are engaged to undertake the Adventurous Journey for 
	
1.4 External Contractor	•	An external commercial operator is an outdoor leader contracted by the Award Centre to facilitate an Adventurous Journey, who has the required qualifications in the outdoor medium being undertaken
•	All Adventurous Journeys undertaken are subject to approval by the Award Centre
•	Award Leader approves all Adventurous Journey paperwork before the journey begins
•	The External Contractor signs off on all preparation and training, practice and qualifying Adventurous Journeys. This must then be co-signed by the Adventurous Journey Supervisor (or Award Leader where no Adventurous Journey Supervisor is available)

Accountable to:  
•	This person is accountable to and is the responsibility of the Award Centre which is engaging them to undertake the Adventurous Journey	•	Must be over 18 years
•	Hold current First Aid + CPR
•	Perform First Aid in Remote Situations (PFAIRS) is recommended
•	Meet the Queensland Working with Children Check requirements (blue card system) 
•	The Award Centre is responsible to ensure that the external contractor is suitably qualified in the outdoor medium of the Adventurous Journey they are leading
•	Must be able to show currency in an outdoor qualification in the medium being undertaken 
•	Must be familiar with the Adventurous Journey Section requirements of the Award
	
2.	Support Roles on an Adventurous Journey	
2.1 Volunteer
	•	Provide support role during course of an Adventurous Journey
•	Provide training to participants only under the guidance of an Adventurous Journey Supervisor
•	Supervise participants only under the guidance of an Adventurous Journey Supervisor. When supervising, must remain within 100 metres of the Adventurous Journey Supervisor on the journey. Refer to Queensland AOA Adventurous Journey Supervision Policy
•	Knowledge of emergency procedures is not mandatory but desirable – may be required to manage the safety of a group if the Adventurous Journey Supervisor becomes incapacitated
•	Does not lead the group independently
•	Does not carry responsibility other than an ordinary citizen for the safety or operations of an Adventurous Journey or of participants

Accountable to:  
•	This person is the responsibility of the Award Centre	•	Must be over 18 years
•	Queensland Duke of Ed Volunteer Code of Conduct form
•	Meet the Queensland Working with Children Check requirements (blue card system), and ensure Blue Card is linked to the Award Centre www.qld.gov.au/bluecard
•	Complete Online Training Module 1 prior to commencing their role and registering participants for Adventurous Journeys 

All adult volunteers assisting with supervision on Adventurous Journeys must also:

•	Hold current First Aid + CPR  
•	Knowledge of emergency procedures is desirable (not mandatory)

Scenarios regarding supervision requirements for Adventurous Journeys
Scenario A:
A school has arranged a 3 day / 2 night canoeing Adventurous Journey, in flat and undemanding water. There are 15 participants under the age of 18 years participating on this Adventurous Journey. 
•	The Duke of Ed Handbook says groups should comprise a minimum of four and up to seven people per group.
•	Working on a ratio of one adult to every seven young people, in this scenario the minimum requirement for supervision is 1 Adventurous Journey Supervisor and 2 volunteers

Scenario B:
A school has arranged a 3 day / 2 night bushwalking Adventurous Journey, in reasonably safe but remote terrain. There are 33 participants under the age of 18 years participating on this Adventurous Journey. 
•	Working on a ratio of one adult to every seven young people, in this scenario the minimum requirement for supervision is 1 Adventurous Journey Supervisor and 4 volunteers. Each volunteer requires a 2-way radio to be in contact with the Adventurous Journey Supervisor and is to be briefed on the use of communication equipment.

Please note: Only an Adventurous Journey Supervisor is able to lead an Adventurous Journey with participants under the age of 18yrs. Volunteers who support with supervision, must always remain in contact and within close proximity of the Adventurous Journey Supervisor along the journey.