This page summarises The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation (IAF) key documents, policies and procedures that govern how the Award operates around the world. The policies and resources all link directly to the National Award Operator (NAO), Operating Partner (OP) and Independent Award Centre (IAC) licences.

The adoption and implementation of these policies and guidance is critical to ensuring Operators meet and maintain the required Governance, Management and Delivery standards, as set out in the
licences.

These key documents and policies will evolve over time as new tools emerge, processes are updated and developed, and the risks associated with an area of work changes in response to internal or
external developments.

The policies and guidance are listed in alphabetical order.

Policies and guidance that are relevant for the IACs can be found here.

The Award Community

The Foundation’s principle resource for adults in the Award, administered by the Foundation. It provides online training, news information, a forum for discussion, contact links and other resources. You can log in directly by clicking on this link. Please contact your relevant Operations Manager (operations@intaward.org) for more information on how to integrate the use of the Award Community in your operations.

Adults Delivering the Award Policy

This policy is in development. The link references the Growing the Award Volunteer Network which details the policy, procedures and requirements relating to supporting and managing adults delivering the Award.

Adult Learning Policy

This policy is in development. The link references the current Award Learning Framework (2015) which sets out the guidance on minimum training requirements with which National Award Operators
should comply.

Brand Guidelines for NAO Monolithic

The Brand Guidelines are determined by which branding route a country has chosen. They set out the elements governing the Award brand, the application of the logo and supporting visual images. This is the Brand Guidelines for National Award Operators who have chosen the Monolithic branding route.

Brand Guidelines for NAO Endorsement

The Brand Guidelines are determined by which branding route a country has chosen. They set out the elements governing the Award brand, the application of the logo and supporting visual images. This is the Brand Guidelines for National Award Operators who have chosen the Endorsement branding route.

Code of Conduct

This sets out the practices and behaviour expected of all adults in the Award, especially when it comes to ensuring the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults associated with the
Award.

Please see International Handbook for Award page 36 for further information.

Evaluation and Reporting Requirements Policy

The Foundation provides reporting requirements including annual statistics and research deliverables, as well as how the IAF and NAOs use data.

Foundation Data Protection Policy

The Foundation Global Data Protection Policy (FGDPR) is based on the Global Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) an EU legislation that aims to give the residents of the EU more control over their data.

Under this regulation, organisations that handle data of EU residents will have to comply with data and privacy rules.

Fundamental Principles, Operational Principles and Code of Practice

These form part of the “International Agreements” enshrined in the IAA Memorandum of Understanding, it sets out the principles, practices and behaviour of how the Award is to be run. These ensure that all Operators maintain comparable standards of practice as advised by the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award, manage the Award fairly and impartially in all respects and ensure that the Award is open to all, subject to the age parameters.

Generic Sub-Licence and Guidance

This is the template Sub license and guidance note provided for NAOs who are engaging in license agreements with Award Centres.

Glossary of Terms

The glossary is a reference tool which can be used by anyone who is involved with the Award. This includes Award Operators, participants, partners, supporters, International Award Foundation staff and Trustees. It provides the agreed definitions by the Foundation and its Operators.

Guiding Principles

The Guiding Principles are designed to ensure that a young person has a meaningful and purposeful journey through their Award, as well as ensuring that the impact of achieving their Award provides a lasting personal legacy.

The Award’s guiding principles are: individual, non-competitive, achievable, voluntary, development, balanced, progressive, inspirational, persistence and enjoyable.
Please see International Handbook for Award Leaders page 14 for further information.

International Award Association (IAA) Global Strategy

A document that sets out the strategy for the Association as a whole in developing and growing the Award worldwide. The current strategy projects forward to 2023.
International Award Association (IAA) Memorandum of Understanding

One of the Key Governing Documents that governs the establishment of the Association, its purpose and principles of operation. It replaced the previous International Award Association (IAA)
constitution.

Key Governing Documents

Our terms of reference.

Operational Guidelines

The Operational Guidelines clarifies and interprets the International Agreements, helping Award Operators to deliver the Award in a manner suited to their circumstances while maintaining the ethos
and principles outlined by the Founder. These form part of the “International Agreements” enshrined in the IAA MoU and are the ten principles that underpin the philosophy of the Award.

Quality Assurance Toolkit

The toolkit assists National Award Operators (NAOs) and Operating Partners (OPs) to establish and maintain effective quality assurance in their Operations by providing templates and examples for
Operators to adopt as suitable and implement through all levels of Award delivery.

Risk Management Register

This register is intended to provide a framework for the management of risk and to increase overall awareness of risk throughout the Association and to enable Operators and those responsible for risk reporting to better identify, assess and control risks within their areas. It seeks to enforce ownership and defines roles and responsibilities to help ensure the risk management process is understood. It is provided in an excel editable format to allow for use by Operators.

Safeguarding Policy

The Foundation’s Safeguarding Policy sets out the practices and behaviour expected of all adults in the Award, especially when it comes to ensuring the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults associated with the Award.

Serious Incident Reporting Policy

The Foundation’s Serious Incident Reporting Policy sets out the procedure for Operators to report alleged and serious incidents. Operators are responsible for the safeguarding and safety of their
participants, staff and volunteers, and must ensure robust systems are in place for recognising, reporting, investigating and responding to Serious Incidents and for arranging and resourcing
investigations.

The effective management of incidents is essential to the provision of a safe and secure environment for the participants of the Award as well as our staff and volunteers.

Trustees’ Toolkit

The toolkit is provided as guidance on key elements of governance for Operators, specifically National Award Operators (NAOs) to help set up and maintain effective governance structures in order to
comply with licensing requirements.