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Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading

The Focus Smid-Cap Growth Equity Portfolio
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading

What is the Portfolio’s investment objective?
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock

The Focus Smid-Cap Growth Equity Portfolio seeks long-term capital appreciation.
Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading

What are the Portfolio’s fees and expenses?
Expense Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock

The following table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Portfolio.
Operating Expenses Caption [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesCaption

Annual portfolio operating expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Fee Waiver or Reimbursement over Assets, Date of Termination rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssetsDateOfTermination

Feb. 27, 2015
Portfolio Turnover [Heading] rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading

Portfolio turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block] rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock

The Portfolio pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Portfolio shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual Portfolio operating expenses or in the example, affect the Portfolio’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate was 26% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 26.00%
Expense Example [Heading] rr_ExpenseExampleHeading

Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Portfolio with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Portfolio for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and reflects the Manager’s fee waivers and expense reimbursements for the 1-year period and the total operating expenses without waivers for years 2 through 10. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading

What are the Portfolio’s principal investment strategies?
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock

The Portfolio invests primarily in common stocks of growth-oriented companies that its investment manager, Delaware Management Company (Manager), believes have long-term capital appreciation potential and expect to grow faster than the U.S. economy. Under normal circumstances, the Portfolio invests at least 80% of its net assets, plus any borrowings for investment purposes, in securities of small- and mid-capitalization companies (80% policy). The Portfolio’s 80% policy may be changed without shareholder approval. However, shareholders will be given notice at least 60 days prior to any such change. For purposes of this Portfolio, small-market capitalization companies are those companies whose market capitalization is similar to the market capitalization of companies in the Russell 2000® Growth Index, and mid-market capitalization companies are those companies whose market capitalization is similar to the market capitalization of companies in the Russell Midcap® Growth Index. The two indices listed above are for purposes of determining range and not for targeting portfolio management. As of Jan. 31, 2014, the Russell 2000 Growth Index had a market capitalization range between $14.5 million and $5.9 billion, and the Russell Midcap Growth Index had a market capitalization range between $1,371.7 million and $31.3 billion. The market capitalization range for the indices listed above will change on a periodic basis. A company’s market capitalization is determined based on its current market capitalization.

 

Under normal circumstances, the Portfolio will invest at least 80% of its net assets in equity securities of small and mid-capitalization companies (80% Policy). The Portfolio’s 80% Policy may be changed without shareholder approval. However, shareholders will be given notice at least 60 days prior to any such change.

 

Using a bottom-up approach, we seek to select securities of companies that have large market opportunities. Companies that have large market opportunities are those that, in our opinion, may have a large demand or market for their goods or services. We also consider a company’s operational efficiencies, management’s plans for capital allocation, and the company’s shareholder orientation. All of these factors give us insight into the outlook for a company, helping us identify companies poised for sustainable free cash flow growth. We believe that sustainable free cash flow growth, if it occurs, may result in price appreciation for the company’s stock.

 

The Portfolio generally holds 25 to 30 stocks, although from time to time the Portfolio may hold fewer or more names depending on our assessment of the investment opportunities available. In addition, we maintain a diversified portfolio representing a number of different industries. Such an approach helps to minimize the impact that any one security or industry could have on the Portfolio if the security or industry were to experience a period of slow or declining growth.

 

Because our objective is capital appreciation, the amount of dividend income that a stock provides is only an incidental consideration for us.

 

The Portfolio may engage in options and futures transactions. In addition, the Portfolio may invest up to 20% of its assets in foreign securities, which may include global depositary receipts (GDRs) and, without limitation, in sponsored and unsponsored American depositary receipts (ADRs) that are actively traded in the United States. The Portfolio may invest up to 10% of its net assets in emerging market securities.

 

In unusual market conditions, in order to meet redemption requests, for temporary defensive purposes and pending investment, the Portfolio may hold a substantial portion of its assets in cash or short-term, debt obligations.
Strategy Portfolio Concentration [Text] rr_StrategyPortfolioConcentration

Under normal circumstances, the Portfolio will invest at least 80% of its net assets in equity securities of small and mid-capitalization companies (80% Policy). The Portfolio’s 80% Policy may be changed without shareholder approval. However, shareholders will be given notice at least 60 days prior to any such change.
Risk [Heading] rr_RiskHeading

What are the principal risks of investing in the Portfolio?
Risk Narrative [Text Block] rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock

Investing in any mutual fund involves the risk that you may lose part or all of the money you invest. Over time, the value of your investment in the Portfolio will increase and decrease according to changes in the value of the securities in its portfolio. Principal risks include:

 

Risk Definition
Investment not guaranteed by
the Manager or its affiliates		 Investments in the Portfolio are not and will not be deposits with or liabilities of Macquarie Bank Limited ABN 46 008 583 542 and its holding companies, including their subsidiaries or related companies (Macquarie Group), and are subject to investment risk, including possible delays in repayment and loss of income and capital invested. No Macquarie Group company guarantees or will guarantee the performance of the Portfolio, the repayment of capital from the Portfolio, or any particular rate of return.
Market risk The risk that all or a majority of the securities in a certain market — such as the stock or bond market — will decline in value because of factors such as adverse political or economic conditions, future expectations, investor confidence, or heavy institutional selling.
Limited number of stocks risk The possibility that a single security’s increase or decrease in value may have a greater impact on the fund’s value and total return because the fund may hold larger positions in fewer securities than other funds.
Small company risk The risk that prices of small- and medium-sized companies may be more volatile than those of larger companies because of limited financial resources or dependence on narrow product lines.
Foreign risk The risk that foreign securities (particularly in emerging markets) may be adversely affected by political instability, inefficient markets and higher transaction costs, changes in currency exchange rates, foreign economic conditions, or inadequate or different regulatory and accounting standards.
Currency risk The risk that the value of a portfolio’s investments may be negatively affected by changes in foreign currency exchange rates.
Derivatives risk Derivative contracts, such as options and futures, may involve additional expenses (such as the payment of premiums) and are subject to significant loss if a security or a securities index to which a derivative contract is associated moves in the opposite direction from what the portfolio manager anticipated.
Counterparty risk The risk that a counterparty to a derivative contract (such as a futures or options contract) or a repurchase agreement may fail to perform its obligations under the contract or agreement due to financial difficulties (such as a bankruptcy or reorganization).
Credit risk The risk that an issuer of a debt security, including a governmental issuer, or an entity that insures a bond may be unable to make interest payments and repay principal in a timely manner.
Interest rate risk The risk that securities will decrease in value if interest rates rise. The risk is generally associated with bonds; however, because companies in the real estate sector and smaller companies often borrow money to finance their operations, they may be adversely affected by rising interest rates.
Liquidity risk The possibility that securities cannot be readily sold within seven days at approximately the price at which a portfolio has valued them.
Risk Lose Money [Text] rr_RiskLoseMoney

Investing in any mutual fund involves the risk that you may lose part or all of the money you invest.
Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text] rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution

Investments in the Portfolio are not and will not be deposits with or liabilities of Macquarie Bank Limited ABN 46 008 583 542 and its holding companies, including their subsidiaries or related companies (Macquarie Group), and are subject to investment risk, including possible delays in repayment and loss of income and capital invested. No Macquarie Group company guarantees or will guarantee the performance of the Portfolio, the repayment of capital from the Portfolio, or any particular rate of return.
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading

How has The Focus Smid-Cap Growth Equity Portfolio performed?
Performance Narrative [Text Block] rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock

The bar chart and table below provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Portfolio by showing changes in the Portfolio’s performance from year to year and by showing how the Portfolio’s average annual total returns for the 1-, 5-, and 10-year periods compare with those of a broad measure of market performance. The Portfolio’s past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how it will perform in the future. The returns reflect any expense caps in effect during these periods. The returns would be lower without the expense caps. You may obtain the Portfolio’s most recently available month-end performance by calling 800 231-8002 or by visiting our website at delawareinvestments.com/institutional.
Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text] rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns

The bar chart and table below provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Portfolio by showing changes in the Portfolio’s performance from year to year and by showing how the Portfolio’s average annual total returns for the 1-, 5-, and 10-year periods compare with those of a broad measure of market performance.
Performance Availability Phone [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityPhone

800 231-8002
Performance Availability Website Address [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress

delawareinvestments.com/institutional
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text] rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture

The Portfolio’s past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how it will perform in the future.
Bar Chart [Heading] rr_BarChartHeading

Year-by-year total return (The Focus Smid-Cap Growth Equity Portfolio)    
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock

During the periods illustrated in this bar chart, The Focus Smid-Cap Growth Equity Portfolio’s highest quarterly return was 27.04% for the quarter ended June 30, 2009 and its lowest quarterly return was -24.94% for the quarter ended Dec. 31, 2008.
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel

highest quarterly return
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Jun. 30, 2009
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 27.04%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel

lowest quarterly return
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Dec. 31, 2008
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (24.94%)
Performance Table Heading rr_PerformanceTableHeading

Average annual total returns for periods ended December 31, 2013
Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text] rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes
Performance Table Uses Highest Federal Rate rr_PerformanceTableUsesHighestFederalRate

The after-tax returns shown are calculated using the highest individual federal marginal income tax rates in effect during the Portfolio’s lifetime and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes.
Performance Table Not Relevant to Tax Deferred rr_PerformanceTableNotRelevantToTaxDeferred

After-tax returns are not relevant for shares held in tax-deferred investment vehicles such as employer-sponsored 401(k) plans and individual retirement accounts (IRAs).
Performance Table Closing [Text Block] rr_PerformanceTableClosingTextBlock

Actual after-tax returns depend on the investor’s individual tax situation and may differ from the returns shown. After-tax returns are not relevant for shares held in tax-deferred investment vehicles such as employer-sponsored 401(k) plans and individual retirement accounts (IRAs). The after-tax returns shown are calculated using the highest individual federal marginal income tax rates in effect during the Portfolio’s lifetime and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes.
DPT CLASS
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.75%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.14%
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.89%
Fee Waiver or Reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets none [1]
Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 0.89%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 91
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 284
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 493
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 1,096
Annual Return 2004 rr_AnnualReturn2004 11.65%
Annual Return 2005 rr_AnnualReturn2005 2.24%
Annual Return 2006 rr_AnnualReturn2006 5.41%
Annual Return 2007 rr_AnnualReturn2007 7.15%
Annual Return 2008 rr_AnnualReturn2008 (35.91%)
Annual Return 2009 rr_AnnualReturn2009 55.76%
Annual Return 2010 rr_AnnualReturn2010 42.71%
Annual Return 2011 rr_AnnualReturn2011 7.32%
Annual Return 2012 rr_AnnualReturn2012 10.65%
Annual Return 2013 rr_AnnualReturn2013 40.42%
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 40.42%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 29.95%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 11.85%
Russell 2500™ Growth Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 40.65%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 24.02%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 9.98%
Return after taxes on distributions | DPT CLASS
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 40.40%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 29.86%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 11.48%
Return after taxes on distributions and sale of Portfolio shares | DPT CLASS
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 22.89%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 25.10%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 9.75%
[1] The Portfolio's investment manager, Delaware Management Company (Manager), is contractually waiving its investment advisory fees and/or paying Portfolio expenses (excluding any 12b-1 fees, taxes, interest, short sale and dividend interest expenses, brokerage fees, certain insurance costs, acquired fund fees and expenses, and nonroutine expenses or costs, including, but not limited to, those relating to reorganizations, litigation, conducting shareholder meetings, and liquidations) to the extent necessary to prevent total annual portfolio operating expenses from exceeding 0.92% of the Portfolio's average daily net assets from Feb. 27, 2014 through Feb. 27, 2015. The waivers and reimbursements may only be terminated by agreement of the Manager and the Portfolio.