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Policy, Organisation and Rules

POR Spring 2026 Edition

There are two formats of POR available:

  • Web format which can be navigated using the chapters list on this page 
  • PDF format, downloadable from this page 

Please note that the next substantive edition of POR is planned for Autumn 2026. However, minor corrections (‘typos’) may be corrected before then and we recommend downloading the PDF version when required. 

Read the PDF format of the Spring 2026 edition


Searching POR

To search POR, we advise that you download the PDF format version above and use the search tools in your PDF reader (e.g. Adobe Reader but there are many others). 

Changes from the Autumn 2025 edition of POR

See below for a downloadable PDF format version of the Spring 2026 edition of POR which has changes (other than typos and similar small changes) from the Autumn 2025 edition of POR highlighted in red. It includes an ‘Amendments Summary’ chapter. 

As noted above, the next substantive edition of POR will be released in Autumn 2026. However, minor corrections (‘typos’) may be corrected before then and we recommend downloading the PDF version when required. 

Key changes include:

  • Changes as a result of implementation of the Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020 [which became law during 2025]. These rule changes affect Scotland particularly but also may have impact on all other members of Scouts aged 16 and over when visiting Scotland.   
  • To meet charity regulator guidance, there is a change whereby Trustees are not permitted to influence or vote at their Trustee Board until their appointment shows as full on the membership system. 
  • Terminology has been clarified, where possible, to distinguish between two meanings of 'charity': 
    • All members of the Federation of charities that make up Scouts, including all Groups, Districts, Counties, Nations, Branches, The Scout Association, and others 
    • The subset of the Federation members that are charities in law - namely, those which are registered with a regulator or (in England and Wales) which are excepted charities. 

Structural changes include:

In the Autumn 2025 edition of POR, the various details concerning policies were pulled together and formed new chapters 2a, 2b, 2c. Previously, Trustee matters had been drawn together as chapters 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e and 5f.

In this Spring 2026 edition of POR, we have followed a similar path by pulling into one location topics that are matters of local organisation and of activities. This has caused the following changes: 

  • The group of chapters related to Policies is developed into Chapters 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d and 2e.   
    • Chapters 2a and 2b are structurally unchanged.   
    • Chapter 2c (Our Volunteering Culture) was section 3.1 in the Autumn 2025 POR 
    • Chapter 2d (Citizenship) and Chapter 2e (Scouts’ names and marks) were part of the Autumn 2025 POR Chapter 2c 
  • Chapter 4 (Local organisation of sections, Groups, Districts and Counties) is split into Chapters 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d. 
    Note that as part of that re-structuring of Chapter 4: 
    • 4.2.2 (Accreditations) has been moved to Chapter 16 and incorporated into 16.4, so POR now has one section devoted to the topic of Accreditations. 
    • 4.7 (Learning) has also been moved to Chapter 16 and incorporated into 16.5 so POR now has one section devoted to the topic of Learning. 
    • 4.3.10 (Ratios) has been moved to Chapter 9a to provide a more logical placement. See 9a.1.1, 9a.1.2 and 9a.1.3.  
  • Chapter 9 (Activities) is split into Chapters 9a, 9b. 

Additionally:

  • Chapter 8 from the Autumn 2025 POR is renumbered as Chapter 5g in order to position it within the set of chapters that support Trustee responsibilities. 
  • 14.1 (Associate Organisations) in the Autumn 2025 POR has been moved to Chapter 6 (as section 6.15). 14.2 was adding little value and so has been removed from POR. 
  • To avoid renumbering other chapters, Chapters 8 and 14 both now state 'This chapter is intentionally blank'. 
Read the highlighted PDF format of the Spring 2026 edition
Purpose of each chapter
Introduction to Policy, Organisation and Rules

Chapters:

1.
Our Fundamentals
2.
a. Key policies
2.
b. Resolving concerns
2.
c. Our Volunteering Culture
2.
d. Citizenship
2.
e. Use of the Scouts’ name and marks
3.
Membership
4.
a. The structure of local Scouting within Scouts
4.
b. Our delivery sections
4.
c. Local support teams
4.
d. Organisation - registration and changes
5.
a. Charity obligations for Groups, Districts, Counties
5.
b. Local governance of Groups, Districts and Counties
5.
c. Constitutions of Groups, Districts and Counties (except in Scotland)
5.
d. Constitutions for Scottish Groups, Districts, Regions
5.
e. Local finance of Groups, Districts and Counties
5.
f. Fundraising, grants and loans in Groups, Districts and Counties
5.
g. Insurance
6.
The structure of the UK Headquarters of The Scout Association
7.
Emergency procedures
8.
This chapter is intentionally blank
9.
a. Activities
9.
b. Requirements for specific activities
10.
Uniform, badges and emblems
11.
Awards and recognition of service
12.
Flags and ceremonial
13.
This chapter is intentionally blank
14.
This chapter is intentionally blank
15.
This chapter is intentionally blank
16.
Adult roles
Definitions