End a role
16.8.1 Scope
POR 16.8 applies to individuals aged 18 or over who work with Scouts in any capacity. This includes, but is not limited to, members, helpers and other non-members.
It does not apply to individuals who have not yet reached their 18th birthday. Ending membership of young persons who have not yet reached their 18th birthday is covered in POR 3.8.
These rules explain how to close roles and membership, including appeals.
16.8.2 Resignation from a role
16.8.2.1 The volunteer resigns
A volunteer may resign from their role at any time by notifying their team leader.
16.8.2.2 Record end date on membership system
The role’s end date must be agreed and recorded on the membership system.
16.8.2.3 Recording satisfactory service at role ending
If the role holder’s service is deemed satisfactory, the relevant Team Leader or Lead Volunteer must ensure that the role ending is recorded as satisfactory on the membership system by selecting one of the following reasons:
- Agreed timeframe ended
- Change of role
- Child no longer involved
- Does not feel valued
- Lack of time
- Medical reasons
- Moving home
- Not happy with the direction/vision of Scouts
- Personal reasons
- Resignation
- Role added in error
- Scout Unit/Team/Section has closed (satisfactorily)
16.8.2.4 Recording unsatisfactory service at role ending
If the role holder’s service is deemed unsatisfactory, the relevant Lead Volunteer must ensure that the role ending is recorded as unsatisfactory on the membership system. The ‘unsatisfactory’ reasons for role ending are listed in POR 16.8.3.1.
UK Headquarters Safeguarding Team may seek further information if necessary.
16.8.3 End someone else's role
16.8.3.1 Reasons to end an adult’s role
For the teams they are responsible for, acting together, the relevant Programme, Support or Volunteering Development Team Leader, Trustee Board Chair or Lead Volunteer, acting together with the Lead Volunteer’s Lead Volunteer may end a role for the following unsatisfactory (involuntary) reasons.
If this role ending follows a period of suspension then, as part of this ‘ending’ process, the relevant team leader and Lead Volunteer must also consult with the original suspending authority and approver to ensure that the reasons for the suspension are appropriately factored into the ‘ending’ decision.
IMPORTANT: Where there are safeguarding concerns raised from any these stated reasons, these must be reported to the UK Headquarters Safeguarding Team in line with POR 2a.7.
- Serious criminal offence
the adult has committed a serious criminal offence against another person - Dispute between adults
the adult is in an unresolved dispute with another adult that has lasted for more than 30 days - Deliberate action or inaction risking or resulting in serious reputational harm
the adult has taken deliberate actions or inactions that have, or could reasonably have caused serious reputational harm - Gross misconduct
the adult has committed gross misconduct - Formal and public challenge of the decisions or policy of Scouts
the adult has publicly challenged the decisions or policies of the Scouts locally or The Scout Association to a non-Scouts body, or on social media, seeking to alter or overturn the decision or policy - Volunteer Joining journey: criminal record check application not in place when required
the adult does not have a criminal record check application in place after 30 days (60 days in Northern Ireland, Scotland, BSO and the Overseas Territories) when a criminal record check is required according to the Teams Table (POR 16.11.1) - Volunteer Joining journey: Required learning not completed
the adult has not completed required learning, as mandated in the Teams Table (POR 16.11.1), within the specified timescales. - Entire Group or Unit closed
the adult held a role within a Group or Explorer Unit that was suspended and subsequently closed due to unsatisfactory circumstances. All adult roles within the unit were affected. The individual was involved in the events leading to the suspension and closure. - Not accepting our fundamentals
the adult is no longer aligned with the fundamentals of the Scouts - Action or inaction risking or resulting in serious harm against another person
the adult has caused, or could cause, serious harm to a member or non-member through their actions or inactions - Failure to observe suspension rules
- Failure to perform duties
- Inappropriate behaviour
- Serious breach of rules
- Volunteer Joining journey: criminal record check unsatisfactory
- Volunteer Joining journey: internal check unsatisfactory
- Volunteer Joining journey: references unsatisfactory
either the reference is unsatisfactory, or the references process has never been completed - Volunteer Joining journey: Welcome Conversation unsatisfactory
either the Welcome Conversation was unsatisfactory, or the adult failed to attend or complete it - Volunteer Joining journey: Trustee eligibility check unsatisfactory
either the Trustee eligibility check is unsatisfactory, or the Trustee eligibility check process has never been completed - Volunteer Joining journey: declarations not completed
16.8.3.2 Mandatory ending of a role
A role must be ended in the following situations:
- a formal review under POR 16.6.3 has resulted in a decision to end the role
- following a period of suspension, a decision is made to end the role(s) under POR 16.7.5.2
- the role exists with a section that has closed
- the relevant Trustee Board passes a resolution to end the role. In these cases, there is no obligation for the Trustee Board to state its reasons.
This option must only be used where there are exceptional reasons and it is impossible to use (a) or (b) above.
The resolution must be presented to the Trustee Board by the relevant Lead Volunteer, and then only after the relevant Lead Volunteer has agreed the resolution with their own Lead Volunteer.
16.8.3.3 Formal role review
Discussions around ending roles should take place during a formal role review.
16.8.3.4 Ending a role also cancels team membership
When a role is ended for any reason, the membership of the team or sub-team which the adult was part of also ends at the same time. As examples:
- If a Beaver Team Member role is ended then the adult’s membership of the Beaver Section Team also ends at the same time.
- If a Trustee role (or role that includes Trustee responsibilities) is ended then the adult’s membership of the Trustee Board also ends at the same time.
16.8.3.5 Recording unsatisfactory service at role ending
If the role holder’s service has been unsatisfactory, the relevant Lead Volunteer must ensure that the role is ended as unsatisfactory on the membership system.
The notes on the membership system must make it clear whether the ending of membership is permanent or temporary (measured in months or years) before the adult may be considered again for such a role.
16.8.3.6 Ending role(s) without role review
If an individual fails to engage with the review process where given reasonable notice and reasonable arrangements are made for the review to take place, the relevant team leader and Lead Volunteer can agree to end the roles without a formal review. The role holder must be notified in writing about the reasons for this action.
If this role ending follows a period of suspension then, as part of this ‘ending’ process, the relevant team leader and Lead Volunteer must also consult with the original suspending authority and approver to ensure that the reasons for the suspension are appropriately factored into the ‘ending’ decision.
16.8.3.7 UK Headquarters Safeguarding Team ending a role
In exceptional cases, the UK Headquarters Safeguarding Team may initiate the ending of a role in agreement with the relevant Lead Volunteer.
If this role ending follows a period of suspension, then as part of this ‘ending’ process the UK Headquarters Safeguarding Team must also consult with the original suspending authority and approver to ensure that the reasons for the suspension are appropriately factored into the ‘ending’ decision.
The UK Headquarters Executive Director of Operations must ensure that processes and oversight are defined and implemented to ensure consistency, including resolving any disagreements.
For this ending of one or more of the volunteer’s role(s) from Scouts, POR 16.8.3 and POR 16.8.5 must be followed.
16.8.3.8 Incidents involving multiple people
If multiple volunteers are being investigated for the same incident, consistency of process must be ensured by the volunteer leading the investigation. While the process must be fair and consistent, the individual outcomes may vary depending on the conclusions of the enquiry.
16.8.4 End someone's membership
16.8.4.1 When membership ends
Membership of Scouts ends when an individual no longer holds any active roles.
A Scout Network member who holds no other adult roles forfeits their membership if they leave the Scout Network and do not immediately join another Scout Network or take on an adult role. The maximum Scout Network age is as stated in POR 3.4.2.4.
16.8.4.2 Recording unsatisfactory service
If the member’s service has been unsatisfactory, the relevant Lead Volunteer must ensure that the membership is ended as unsatisfactory on the membership system.
If the member’s membership has been ended at local level (within Group, District or County) then the unsatisfactory notes on the membership system must indicate whether a period of time should pass (measured in months or years) before the adult may be reconsidered for membership by any part of The Scout Association. The unsatisfactory notes may also indicate whether any other restrictions should be placed, for example the type of role. These notes will be reviewed as part of the national vetting process should the individual apply for membership in the future. As part of the national vetting process, it should be noted that it would be very unusual for any suggested period to be reduced.
If ending of the member’s membership is initiated by the UK Headquarters Safeguarding team, the ending of membership may mirror the above, but may also result in a permanent ending, In all cases, the principles in the paragraph above still apply.
In either case, if the role ending follows a period of suspension then, as part of this ‘ending’ process, there must also be consultation with the original suspending authority and approver to ensure that the reasons for the suspension are appropriately factored into the ‘ending’ decision.
16.8.4.3 UK Board of Trustees may end membership
- Exceptionally, a member’s membership may be ended by resolution of the Board of Trustees of The Scout Association
- The Board is not required to state its reasons for making such a decision.
16.8.5 Obligations following the ending of a role or a membership
16.8.5.1 Obligations
Where a role is ended under POR 16.8.2 or POR 16.8.3, or membership is ended under POR 16.8.4:
- the individual concerned must immediately pass all related personal and confidential data related to their role(s), including that related to young people and adults (including photos and videos), to their Lead Volunteer and ensure that no copy is retained by the individual.
This applies to both digital and hard copy information. - Similarly, all access to systems related to the role(s) for the individual, including logon details and passwords or similar must be disabled (and, where appropriate, access control handed over to their Lead Volunteer, noting that logon details for financial and other systems must not be used by any person other than the person that they were issued to). This applies to all systems used for Scouts purposes, including social media, email accounts, data storage and membership systems.
- The individual must also return all physical assets related to their role(s) to their Lead Volunteer. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Scouts-related financial information and assets, including cash, cheque books, bank statements, payment cards
- equipment, digital, and physical resources owned by a Scout unit
- keys and other security equipment or information
16.8.5.2 Role of Lead Volunteer regarding the obligations
The Lead Volunteer must ensure the satisfactory completion of POR 16.8.5.1.
16.8.5.3 Ending Trustee responsibilities
Any Trustee responsibilities held through the role or membership end when the role is officially ended on the membership system.
16.8.6 Process to appeal a non-appointment to, or the ending of, a Group, District or County role
16.8.6.1 POR 16.8.6 is a mandatory process
POR 16.8.6 explains how to appeal the process for the non-appointment or ending of a Group, District or County role.
See POR 2b.2 and POR 2b.3 for limitations on the use of the appointment appeals and complaints processes.
16.8.6.2 Engaging the Volunteering Development Team Leader
If there is no Volunteering Development Team Leader in post, the Trustee Board Chair should request the Volunteering Development Team Leader from a nearby District or County to assume the role, for the purpose of the process appeal only.
16.8.6.3 Engaging the Trustee Board Chair
If there is no Trustee Board Chair in post, the District Lead Volunteer or County Lead Volunteer as appropriate should request the Chair from a nearby District or County to assume the role, for the purpose of the appeal process.
16.8.6.4 Time limit for making an appeal
To appeal the non-approval of a suspension, or the ending of role(s), the individual must contact the relevant Volunteering Development Team Leader within 14 days of being notified of the decision.
For appeals regarding Group and District roles this is the District Volunteering Development Team Leader.
For appeals regarding County roles this is the County Volunteering Development Team Leader.
16.8.6.5 Scope of an appeal
Appeals must only consider the process carried out and not consider or review the decision made. If multiple roles have been ended at once, all ended roles must be considered together in one appeal.
16.8.6.6 Seeking resolution
The individual, the Volunteering Development Team Leader, and an appropriate member of the Volunteering Development Team should meet. To avoid conflicts of interest, if the process appeal is about non-approval of a role, the leader or member of the Volunteering Development Team should not have been involved in the volunteer’s original volunteer joining journey. This meeting provides an opportunity for the individual to explain any issues with the process and seek resolution.
16.8.6.7 Process to follow
The Volunteering Development Team Leader, in consultation with the attending Volunteering Development Team Member, will conduct the appropriate enquiries and decide on one of the following:
- If an issue with the application of the process is identified, the volunteer joining journey or roles review process must be re-run.
- If the process has been applied correctly, the original decision is upheld.
The Volunteering Development Team Leader must ensure that all attendees and the relevant Lead Volunteer are provided with the outcome of the meeting in writing.
16.8.6.8 Further appeal stage, if required
The individual may make a final process appeal, if not satisfied after the first step, by contacting the relevant Trustee Board Chair within 14 days of receiving the first step’s outcome.
16.8.6.9 Hearing the appeal
The Trustee Board Chair may decide an investigation is necessary. If so, up to three Trustees with no previous involvement with the appointment must be asked to conduct the investigation and provide a confidential report to the Trustee Board Chair.
16.8.6.10 Actions following an appeal
Although the report itself is confidential, it is important that any action points from the investigation are promptly actioned. Where necessary this will require that actions (and the context of the actions) are appropriately shared by the Trustee Board Chair to ensure prompt completion of each action point.
16.8.6.11 Putting decisions in writing
The Trustee Board Chair's decision is final and must be provided in writing to the individual and the relevant Lead Volunteer.
16.8.6.12 No further appeals
There is no further right to complain or appeal after this appeal process is completed.
16.8.7 Managing roles at UK Headquarters
16.8.7.1 Authority
Appointments at UK Headquarters are governed by the People & Culture Committee which delegates authority to the UK Lead Volunteer for Volunteering and the Chief Volunteering Officer.
Working together, the UK Lead Volunteer for Volunteering and the Chief Volunteering Officer must ensure that systems and processes are maintained and communicated to ensure effective and fair management of all volunteers appointed to UK Headquarters roles.