Policy, Organisation and Rules

Update: We’re aware there were some difficulties during the publication of the March 2024 version of POR. These have now been fixed and updated in the version below. Please now follow this updated version.

POR Amendments March 2024

During 2024, significant changes to volunteering are being introduced. This March 2024 edition of POR supersedes the July 2023 (September update) edition and applies in all Counties from 31st March 2024.

This March 2024 edition reflects a number of changes and improvements. A complete list of the amendments can be found in the full POR PDF but a summary of the changes is:

Introduction Chapter: Some clarifying changes to the wording, plus inclusion of the fact that TSA is a member of WOSM
Definitions Chapter:
- - New definitions for:
  - AGM
  - Area
  - Charity Governance
  - The Scouts’ Website
  - Young Leader

Updated definitions for:

- - British Scouting Overseas
  - Conflict of interest
  - County
  - District
  - Gross misconduct
  - Group
  - Growth & Communities Team (formerly Regional Support Team)
  - Harassment
  - Personal enquiry
  - Quorum
  - Region
  - Regulated activity
  - Section
  - Structure
  - Unsupervised access

Chapter 4: To clarify a number of questions received by the Support Centre concerning Joint Scout and Guide Groups (4.9.4), a new 4.9.4.2 has been added. The rules in 4.9.4 are renumbered but otherwise unchanged.
Chapter 5: contains changes required to reflect the change to the membership and appointment requirements of Scout Councils and Trustee Boards.

5.3.1.6, 5.3.1.7 and 5.3.1.8 have been added to reflect the transition arrangements for current ex officio Trustees who will no longer be ex officio members of the Trustee Board.

In sections 5.4, 5.5. 5.6, new details have been added concerning the conduct of Group, District and County Scout Council meetings in 5.4.8, 5.5.8 and 5.6.8 respectively.

A key change in this chapter is that the model constitution (previously covering all Scout charities as section 5.4 in the July edition of POR) has been replaced by sections 5.4, 5.5. 5.6 for Group, District, County model constitutions respectively. This follows feedback from users of the April 2023 and July 2023 editions of POR.

Chapter 11: The Commissioner’s Commendation Award is renamed as the Commendation Award (11.2.6)
Chapter 13:
- 13.1.2.2 Words added to clarify ‘excepted charities’ in England and Wales.
- 13.3.4 Rewording to reflect the Trustee Board changes introduced in April 2023.
Chapter 16: These changes primarily relate to improved wording of mutually agreed restrictions, suspensions and role ending to reflect questions recently asked of the Support Centre.
Safeguarding and vetting decision guidance: Small improvements at the request of the Safeguarding Committee to clarify wording based on feedback received from users.
Minor changes to reflect recent style guide updates or improve wording following recent enquiries to the Support Centre in Chapters 2, 4, 6. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 16
There are no changes to Chapters 1, 14 and 15. And no changes to the Roles Table.