Role of the Supervisor

Outlined for a Gold level venture but serving as a pattern for all levels.

Assessors

All qualifying ventures must be assessed by a competent adult who is either an approved Operating Authority Assessor or, if the venture is in wild country, an Assessor from one of the Award's Wild Country Panels. Assessors have three main functions:

• To ensure that the requirements and conditions of the Expeditions Section are fulfilled.
• To advise on the safety of the venture - the ultimate responsibility rests with the Supervisor who is the agent of the Operating Authority.
• To safeguard the interests of the Award.

• At Bronze level the Assessor should not have been involved in any of the training or instruction of the group.
• At Silver level the Assessor should be independent of the Award Group.
• At Gold level the Assessor must be independent of the Award Group and not associated with the group in any way.

The Award, in conjunction with Wild Country Panels and Operating Authorities, provides a National Accreditation Scheme for Wild Country Assessors in order to ensure a greater uniformity in the standard of assessment and to assist with Local Pre-Expedition Checks and 'Open Golds' (for details contact Award Head Office).

For Gold assessments taking place in a designated Wild Country Area an Assessor from the appropriate Wild Country Panel or an Accredited Assessor from an Operating Authority should be used. If the Operating Authority does not use an Assessor from the Wild Country Panel or an Accredited Assessor, then the person must be of equivalent competence, preferably holding an appropriate National qualification and must be approved by the Operating Authority. Every effort should be made by the Operating Authority to accredit the person at the earliest opportunity through the Assessor Accreditation Scheme.

The roles and responsibilities of the Assessor vary with the environment in which the venture takes place, the form of venture and the mode of travel. The responsibilities are detailed below for an Assessor in Wild Country at Gold level, but should serve as a statement of good and safe practice for all Assessors at both Bronze and Silver levels. The duties fall into three parts - before, during and after the venture.

Before the Venture

• Check the application forms or submissions to ensure that all the basic conditions and requirements are fulfilled.
• Scrutinise the plans, routes and foul weather alternatives and escape routes as soon as possible to enable the group to make any essential changes.
• Contact the Supervisor (the initial contact) and arrange a meeting (the first meeting) with the participants and the Supervisor during the acclimatisation period prior to setting out on the venture (usually the day or evening before). Clarify whether local Pre-Expedition Check is being carried out. If the venture is an Exploration, check if a Mentor is involved and what contact, if any, will be made during the venture.
• Ensure that the declaration has been signed in the Record Books and that at least one practice journey has been completed.
• Check that the group is properly equipped and trained. This task is usually eased if a local Pre-Expedition Check has already been carried out.
• Arrange communications between the group, Supervisor and Assessor and confirm the visiting and checkpoint arrangements.
• Arrange or confirm the form and nature of the presentation and to whom it is being submitted.

During the Venture

• Visit at least one camp site to check camp craft, cooking and catering. Inspect a camp site after the group has left and observe the group en-route.
• Meet with the group, normally once a day.
• Check the progress of observations, recording or investigatory work associated with the purpose of the venture.
• The Assessor, in full consultation with the Supervisor and the group, should not hesitate to require a group to modify their proposed routes for reasons of safety, weather conditions or a greater understanding of the limited capabilities of the group.

After the Venture

Meet the group at the end of the journey and carry out an oral debriefing. This debriefing enables the Assessor to share in the group's successful completion of the journey, and is an opportunity for the participants to express their feelings and reactions. The debriefing should be concerned with overall impressions and achievements and should draw out the learning and personal development which has occurred to the individuals and to the group as a whole.

Either

• Receive an oral presentation relating to the purpose of the venture if prior arrangements have been made. Both pages of the Record Books may then be completed and signed. This must be distinct and separate from the oral debriefing,

or

• Confirm the arrangements which have been made concerning the presentations. Complete and sign the page in the Record Books relating to the successful completion of the venture. If the participants have decided to submit their presentation to the Assessor, then the Assessor and the participants should agree when this is to happen. On receipt, complete and sign the other part of the Record Books and return them to the participants.

The Assessor's Role

The Assessor's role is much greater than just checking that the conditions and requirements have been fulfilled. Each year many ventures owe their success to the inspiration, encouragement and wise advice of the Assessor. Their detailed local knowledge of the area and weather conditions enables them to make a vital contribution ranging from guidance on the purpose of the venture to advising the Supervisor and the group on matters of safety and well-being. This judgement has been acquired by involvement with previous expeditions and a long association with the area. Guidance while encouraging and enriching the experience, must never be intrusive or time consuming and should always be given at the appropriate moment. Assessors must always consult with the group and the Supervisor and be mindful that the venture belongs to the participants.

The Significant Stages