Policy, Organisation and Rules
Purpose of each chapter
Introduction to Policy, Organisation and Rules
Provides an overview of the purpose and structure of Policy, Organisation and Rules (POR).
Chapter 1 Our Fundamentals
Details the core principles of Scouts, including our Purpose, Method, Promise (with available variations) and Law.2
2 Chapters related to policies that apply to all members and to all members of the Scouts’ Federation of charities
Chapter 2a Key policies
Details the key policies that apply to all members and Scout units.
Chapter 2b Resolving concerns
Signposts the resolution of concerns related to adult appointments, safeguarding, complaints, bullying and harassment, and whistleblowing.
Chapter 2c Our Volunteering Culture
Describes Our Volunteering Culture.
Chapter 2d Citizenship
Details policy matters that apply to citizenship
Chapter 2e Use of the Scouts’ name and marks
Details policy matters that apply to copyright; and Scout logos, names, badges and awards.
Chapter 3 Membership
Scouts is a membership organisation. This chapter describes the obligations and expectations of membership within Scouts.
(Note: Chapter 16 includes detailed processes for adult appointments.)
4 Chapters related to local structures and programme
Chapter 4a The structure of local Scouting within The Scout Association
Explains the structure of Scouts at the sectional, Group, District, and County levels.
Chapter 4b Our delivery sections
Details information about our sections, alongside key aspects of their programme planning and delivery for young people.
Chapter 4c Local support teams
Details the Group, District and County teams other than sections.
Chapter 4d Organisation - registrations and changes
Describes the mandatory processes required to manage changing sections, and all entities within the Federation of charities.
5 Chapters related to governance and Trustees for all members of the Scouts’ Federation of charities
Chapter 5a Charity obligations for Groups, Districts, Counties
Explains the application of charity law to Groups, Districts, and Counties within our federation of charities.
Chapter 5b Local governance of Groups, Districts and Counties
Outlines the governance rules for local members of our federation of charities.
Chapter 5c Constitutions of Groups, Districts and Counties (except Scotland)
Provides model constitutions for Groups, Districts, and Counties in England, Northern Ireland, Wales and overseas.
Chapter 5d Constitutions for Scottish Groups, Districts, Regions
Provides model constitutions for Groups, Districts, and Regions in Scotland.
Chapter 5e Local finance of Groups, Districts and Counties
Describes the rules for ensuring effective financial management in each of our charities.
Chapter 5f Fundraising, grants and loans in Groups, Districts and Counties
Outlines the rules for managing fundraising, grants, and loans in compliance with charity law.
Chapter 5g Insurance
Describes the insurance cover provided for all members, together with other insurances that local Trustee Boards should consider.
Chapter 6 The structure of the UK Headquarters of The Scout Association
Describes the rules governing the Nations and UK Headquarters, complementing Chapters 3, 4, and 5.
Chapter 7 Emergency Procedures
Describes the steps to take in emergency incidents, whatever the cause.
Chapter 8 (intentionally blank)
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9 Chapters related to activities
Chapter 9a Activities
Describes the overarching rules for safely planning and delivering activities within Scouts’ programme. Including the preparation, generic rules and definitions, Permits, Nights Away, visits to Scotland and Visits Abroad
Chapter 9b Requirements for specific Activities
Describes the rules for safely planning and delivering specific activities – creative, air, target sports, land-based and water-based activities.
Chapter 10 Uniform, badges and emblems
Scouts is a uniformed organisation and this chapter describes the rules surrounding Scouts' uniform, badges, and emblems.
Chapter 11 Awards and recognition of service
Describes the Awards that are available to recognise meritorious conduct, gallantry, Cornwell Scout Badge, Chief Scout’s Personal Award (all members) and (for adult members) length of service and good service.
Chapter 12 Flags and ceremonial
Describes the use of flags and the conduct of ceremonies within Scouts.
Chapter 13 (intentionally blank)
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Chapter 14 (intentionally blank)
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Chapter 15 (intentionally blank)
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Chapter 16 Adult roles
Describes the processes related to the appointment, learning, review, and support of adult volunteers and including:
- the Teams table
- the Accreditations table
- Safeguarding and vetting decision guidance
Definitions of terms used in Policy, Organisation and Rules
Provides definitions for terms used throughout POR. Any defined word or phrase in the text is highlighted with double-dashed-underline within the PDF version of POR.