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The handling of concerns relating to roles or the volunteer joining journey

16.3.1.1 Managing unsatisfactory criminal record checks
The process for managing potential unsatisfactory criminal record checks, or internal checks, rests with the UK Headquarters Safeguarding Team.   

The UK Headquarters Safeguarding Team may need to request local support as part of reaching their determination. 

16.3.1.2 Additional checks 
For British Scouts Overseas and each of the Overseas Territories, there may need to be some local checks carried out. Notionally these are carried under the authority of the UK Headquarters Safeguarding Team, but the checks may often need to be conducted locally. 

16.3.1.3 Concerns arising from Welcome Conversation 

  1. If the two people undertaking the Welcome Conversation have concerns and are unable to agree, then the District Lead Volunteer for Group or District roles, or County Lead Volunteer for County roles, must consult with the two people undertaking the Welcome Conversation and make a final decision.   
  2. If that Lead Volunteer was part of the Welcome Conversation, the Lead Volunteer’s own Lead Volunteer must take on this responsibility (for example the County Lead Volunteer in the place of a District Lead Volunteer).   

16.3.1.4 Safeguarding concerns 
Where there are Safeguarding concerns raised from any of the steps in POR 16.1 or POR 16.2, these must be reported to the UK Headquarters Safeguarding Team for advice. 

16.3.1.5 Other concerns 

  1. Where there are any other concerns raised from any of the steps in 16.1 or 16.2, these must be reviewed by the relevant Lead Volunteer and their Volunteer Safeguarding Lead. The Lead Volunteer must make a final decision.  
  2. If a Volunteer Safeguarding Lead has not been appointed, the Lead Volunteer must work together with another Lead Volunteer or Volunteer Safeguarding Lead at the same level or higher. 

16.3.1.6 Recording decision to not appoint 
If the decision is not to appoint, the Lead Volunteer must ensure that the membership system is updated by ending the role as unsatisfactory. The volunteer may only appeal via the route in POR 16.8.6. The Lead Volunteer must ensure that the applicant is advised of the non-appointment, and that any appeal must follow POR 16.8.6.

16.3.1.7 Exceptional exclusion 
UK Headquarters may exceptionally exclude volunteers deemed unsuitable to participate in Scouts.