Policy, Organisation and Rules (POR) Autumn 2024 edition now available

Role titles have been changed to reflect the changes as part of our teams-based approach to volunteering. For example, District Commissioner has been updated to District Lead Volunteer. 

Due to the restructured organisation in Northern Ireland, any rules which require a variation for Northern Ireland are now marked [NI] 

Several parts of Scottish variations from POR have been copied into this edition. This is a step to remove the need for Scottish variations whilst making sure that POR reflects the different legal frameworks in the country 

Due to the vast number of changes needed due to the volunteer experience changes, any changes are highlighted in red within the download. Significant word movements from the March 2024 edition are also marked in blue. 

Clarification around when parents must know out their child’s choice of Promise. 

‘Our Volunteering Culture’ has been moved to the start of the Chapter which has had a knock-on effect to the numbering of the rest of the chapter. 

Clarification to the sections around Network members’ 25th birthday and the appeal process against the dismissal of a Squirrel, Beaver, Cub, Scout or Explorer. 

Several significant changes to reflect the volunteer experience changes. 

A new section to describe the principles underpinning the volunteer experience changes. 

Descriptions on the purpose of a section, Group, District and County added. 

Description of accreditations added. 

Some new text added to reflect the move to Section Teams. 

Additional text to explain how a Group Team will operate, including the Group Leadership Team. As well as team to describe each of the District and County Teams. 

Learning for Volunteers section has been updated to reflect the ‘headlines’ of the new learning processes. 

Section around Scout Active Support Units (SASUs) has been removed as they’re not longer part of the structure going forward. 

Chapter 5 is largely unchanged from the March 2024 edition of POR. Some of the text is unchanged but has moved, highlighted in the document by blue text. 

5.4, 5.5 and 5.6 remain as the Group, District, County constitutions but have been reformatted so they’re shorter, easy to read and easier to print if a local copy is required. 

Additional clarity around the Scout Council membership. 

An addition requesting that changes to Scout Council membership in Counties be notified. 

Clarification around volunteer roles that cannot be carried out by a member of UK Headquarters staff.  

Our Overseas Branches are now referred to as Overseas Territories. 

Trotti bikes have been added to the list of banned activities  

Updates reflecting actions and planning related to change in weather  

Updates to our first aid rules around Permit Holders and volunteers who complete an external first aid qualification 

An update to include the recommendation that Nights Away notifications should be received at least 7 days before the activity commences. 

Small clarifications Nights Away Activity Passports. 

Two new sections added at the start of the chapter to explain the purpose of Scout Uniform and Informal Scout-branded clothing. 

Changes throughout the chapter to make what we wear in Scouts more inclusive, flexible, practical and affordable. You read more details on this page.

New rules added around uniform for World Scout Jamborees and International events and Squirrels badges. 

Changes to reflect the role of the new membership system in making and awarding Good Service Awards. 

The revised chapter reflects updates to the section flags to bring them into line with the 2018 Scouts rebrand.   

Significant changes to this chapter to make sure it reflects all our membership 

Updates to better reflect charity legislation, charity regulators, charity registration and charity trustees in all countries. 

Updates to reflect different laws in Scotland. 13.3 now covers everywhere except Scotland and 13.4 reflects Property and Equipment for Scotland.  

Update to reflect the new World Scout Membership badge and logo. 

Change to request for minibus permits now that they can be made through the membership system rather than the Support Centre. 

New sections added to replace the current 16.1 section to the reflect the new welcoming and joining process and new role change process. 

Section updated to describe the new learning requirements, with specific requirements listed in the Teams and Accreditations Tables. 

Section updated to explain the new review process, supported by the membership system. 

Section updated to reflect the use of the new membership system and the obligations following a volunteer’s suspension. 

Updates to section around ending a volunteer’s role. 

Process for initially covering key roles when a new Scout unit is formed added. 

The Roles Table has been replaced by the Teams Table, with an additional Accreditations Table added.