{"number":"4","url":"/por/4a-the-structure-of-local-scouting-within-scouts/","content":{"layouts":[{"type":"singleColumn","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp\u003EThis chapter is built from sections 4.1 and 4.2 from Chapter 4 of the Autumn 2025 edition of POR.\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""}]}],"config":null}]},"rules":[{"number":"4a.1","body":"","content":{"layouts":[{"type":"singleColumn","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp\u003EThis POR 4a.1 outlines the principles underpinning our organisation and structures. It provides essential context for understanding how our teams operate and deliver our mission.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Ch4\u003E4a.1.1 Our fundamentals\u003C/h4\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E4a.1.1.1 Our fundamentals\u0026nbsp;\u003C/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EThe Scouts\u2019 fundamentals are set out in POR Chapter 1.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Ch4\u003E4a.1.2 We operate in teams\u003C/h4\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E4a.1.2.1 Team-based operation\u0026nbsp;\u003C/strong\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Col style=\u0022list-style-type: lower-alpha;\u0022\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EOur volunteers operate in teams. Each team has a defined purpose and a set of tasks to achieve, as outlined in its \u003Ca href=\u0022/volunteers/running-things-locally/local-teams/\u0022 title=\u0022Local teams\u0022\u003Eteam description\u003C/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EEach team consists of Team Leaders and Team Members. The Team Leader of each Leadership Team is called the Lead Volunteer.\u0026nbsp;\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EMembers of a team must work together to fulfil the team\u2019s purpose and team description.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EResponsibility for tasks lies with the team. Team Leaders are accountable for ensuring the team achieves its purpose, while the team\u2019s members agree amongst themselves how their tasks will be achieved.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EEach team member must understand their team\u2019s purpose and their own individual contribution to it.\u0026nbsp;\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ol\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E4a.1.2.2 Sub-teams\u0026nbsp;\u003C/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EWhere appropriate, any team except a Section Team may establish sub-teams. A sub-team must have a clear purpose, and their creation must be agreed by the Group, District or County Leadership Team as appropriate (see POR 4c.1.2, 4c.2.3 and 4c.3.2 respectively).\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Ch4\u003E4a.1.3 Programme delivery is at the core\u003C/h4\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E4a.1.3.1 Core purpose \u003Cbr\u003E\u003C/strong\u003EWe deliver skills for life to young people and we do that through the delivery of an inspiring programme enjoyed by and accessible to all young people (POR 4b.5).\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EDelivery of safe, fun, enjoyable and high-quality programme is therefore at the core of what we do.\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E4a.1.3.2 Role of section teams\u0026nbsp;\u003C/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003ESection Teams are responsible for coordinating and delivering an inspiring programme to young people.\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E4a.1.3.3 Role of all other teams\u0026nbsp;\u003C/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EAll other teams must ensure that their focus is supporting Section Teams to deliver the programme. This support may be direct or indirect and is described in the team\u2019s team description.\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Ch4\u003E4a.1.4 Governance and Trustee Boards\u003C/h4\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E4a.1.4.1 We are a Federation\u0026nbsp;\u003C/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EEach Group, District and County must operate as if they are a charity in law. This applies whether or not the Group, District or County is registered with a charity regulator (POR 5a.1.1.2) or (in England or Wales) is an excepted charity (POR 5a.1.2.2).\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E4a.1.4.2 Role of the Trustee Board \u003Cbr\u003E\u003C/strong\u003EEvery member organisation of the Federation must have a Trustee Board to provide charity governance. \u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EGovernance of a Group, a District or a County is described in POR Chapter 5b.\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""}]}],"config":null}]},"deprecated":false,"url":"/por/4a-the-structure-of-local-scouting-within-scouts/4a1-principles/","id":89409,"nodeName":"4a.1 Principles","title":"Principles","type":"pORRule","image":{"url":"/media/10478/scouts-logo.jpg?width=800\u0026height=450\u0026v=1db789232a4a190","caption":"Scouts Logo","type":"jpg","size":30784,"width":800,"height":450,"altText":"The Scouts logo"},"assets":null,"headerOptions":{"headerTitle":"Principles","headerSubTitle":null,"headerCta":null,"headerCtaText":null,"headerCtaLink":null,"headerBackgroundColour":null,"showSEOImage":false,"headerBackgroundImage":null,"quickLinks":null},"searchDescription":"Find out the policy and rules for local sections, Groups, Districts and Counties.","subHeader":"Find out the policy and rules for local sections, Groups, Districts and Counties.","browserTitle":null,"silktide":"eyJjbXMiOiJVbWJyYWNvIiwiZWRpdG9yVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9wcm9kLWNtcy5zY291dHMub3JnLnVrLy91bWJyYWNvIy9jb250ZW50L2NvbnRlbnQvZWRpdC84OTQwOSJ9","canonicalUrl":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/por/4a-the-structure-of-local-scouting-within-scouts/4a1-principles/"},{"number":"4a.2","body":"","content":{"layouts":[{"type":"singleColumn","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch4\u003E4a.2.1 Structure and Teams\u003C/h4\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E4a.2.1.1 Purpose of our organisation\u0026nbsp;\u003C/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EScouts in the United Kingdom and certain overseas locations is organised in sections, Groups, Districts, Counties and Country Headquarters. These entities of Scouts provide: \u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Col style=\u0022list-style-type: lower-alpha;\u0022\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003Esupport\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003Echannels for communication\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003Eopportunities for youth members and adult members to make decisions and take responsibility\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003Efunctional units through which the design and delivery of the youth programme can be best achieved\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ol\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E4a.2.1.2 Purpose of each local Scout unit\u0026nbsp;\u003C/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EThe purpose of each of the local Scout units is shown below:\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Ctable border=\u00221\u0022 style=\u0022border-collapse: collapse; width: 99.934%;\u0022\u003E\n\u003Ctbody\u003E\n\u003Ctr\u003E\n\u003Ctd style=\u0022width: 49.439%;\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EScout Unit\u003C/strong\u003E\u003C/td\u003E\n\u003Ctd style=\u0022width: 49.439%;\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPurpose\u003C/strong\u003E\u003C/td\u003E\n\u003C/tr\u003E\n\u003Ctr\u003E\n\u003Ctd style=\u0022width: 49.439%;\u0022\u003ESection\u0026nbsp;\u003C/td\u003E\n\u003Ctd style=\u0022width: 49.439%;\u0022\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003Eplans and delivers an enjoyable and safe programme\u0026nbsp;\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003Ethe programme must be fully accessible and inclusive so that volunteers and young people are able to, and want to, join.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003Emanages the section. \u0026nbsp;\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E\n\u003C/td\u003E\n\u003C/tr\u003E\n\u003Ctr\u003E\n\u003Ctd style=\u0022width: 49.439%;\u0022\u003EGroup\u0026nbsp;\u003C/td\u003E\n\u003Ctd style=\u0022width: 49.439%;\u0022\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003Ekeeps volunteers working well together and feeling motivated across all sections\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003Emakes sure that the Group is respected and supported in their local community\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003Eensures that sections in the Group have the necessary resources to support their delivery of their programme.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E\n\u003C/td\u003E\n\u003C/tr\u003E\n\u003Ctr\u003E\n\u003Ctd style=\u0022width: 49.439%;\u0022\u003EDistrict 14-24 Team\u0026nbsp;\u003C/td\u003E\n\u003Ctd style=\u0022width: 49.439%;\u0022\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003Ekeeps volunteers working well and feeling motivated across the District\u2019s Explorer (including Young Leader) and Scout Network sections\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003Emaking sure that the 14-24 sections are well regarded in their local community\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003Eensures that Explorer and Network sections have the necessary resources to support their delivery of programme.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E\n\u003C/td\u003E\n\u003C/tr\u003E\n\u003Ctr\u003E\n\u003Ctd style=\u0022width: 49.439%;\u0022\u003EDistrict\u0026nbsp;\u003C/td\u003E\n\u003Ctd style=\u0022width: 49.439%;\u0022\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003Eleads Scouts across the District\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003Edelivers their part of the County plan\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003Ehelps volunteers develop\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003Eimproves section programmes\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003Eenhances sections\u2019 programmes with opportunities that can best be run at District level\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003Esupports Scouts to run in the best way possible.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThere are Counties that have no Districts. In this case, the District\u2019s responsibilities are included in the responsibilities of the County.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003C/td\u003E\n\u003C/tr\u003E\n\u003Ctr\u003E\n\u003Ctd style=\u0022width: 49.439%;\u0022\u003ECounty \u003Csup\u003E[NI]\u003C/sup\u003E\u003C/td\u003E\n\u003Ctd style=\u0022width: 49.439%;\u0022\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003Eleads Scouts across the County\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003Ebuilds and maintains a County plan\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003Ehelps volunteers develop (focusing on volunteers in County teams, including District Lead Volunteers)\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003Eenhances sections\u2019 programmes with opportunities that can best be run at County level\u0026nbsp;\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003Esupports the running of Scouts.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Csup\u003E[NI]\u003C/sup\u003E In Northern Ireland, Districts are supported by Regional Lead Volunteers and the Scouts NI Country team\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003C/td\u003E\n\u003C/tr\u003E\n\u003C/tbody\u003E\n\u003C/table\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EThe organisation of Country Headquarters and UK Headquarters is described in POR Chapter 6.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E4a.2.1.3 Leadership and Team Roles \u003Cbr\u003E\u003C/strong\u003EEach Group, District and County is led by Lead Volunteer(s) who have overall authority for their Scout unit and are the Team Leader(s) for the relevant Leadership Team.\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThe roles within each team are listed in the Teams Table (POR 16.11.1). \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EEach team has a Team Leader who is responsible for ensuring that the team achieves its purpose and outcomes. A Team Leader role may be held jointly by more than one volunteer.\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E4a.2.1.4 Group composition \u003Cbr\u003E\u003C/strong\u003EA Group must have at least one section: a Squirrel Drey, a Beaver Colony, a Cub Pack or a Scout Troop. \u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EA Group may have more than one of any section (for example two Beaver Colonies). \u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EEach section in the Group is managed by a Section Team.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ESome Groups may be Special Groups (POR 4c.1.8).\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EA Group may partner with one or more Explorer Units (POR 4c.1.3).\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E4a.2.1.5 District composition \u003Cbr\u003E\u003C/strong\u003EA District comprises several Groups, one or more Explorer Units (including at least one Young Leaders\u2019 Unit), and one Scout Network.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EExplorer Units, the Young Leader Unit and the Scout Network are a part of the District 14- 24 provision and are operationally managed by the District 14-24 Team. \u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThere may be several Explorer Units in the District, An Explorer Unit may be partnered with specific Group(s) (POR 4c.1.3).\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E4a.2.1.6 County composition \u003Cbr\u003E\u003C/strong\u003EA County usually comprises several Districts. \u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ESome Counties do not have Districts. 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