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Suspension of membership - young persons aged under 18 (including Young Leaders)

3.7.1 About suspension

3.7.1.1 Suspension of membership
Scouts is a membership organisation and therefore has the right to suspend membership.

On the rare occasions when suspension of membership is necessary, the appropriate mandatory process described in POR 3.7 must be followed in order to ensure appropriate and fair decisions are made, and that such decisions are not taken lightly.

3.7.1.2 Purpose of suspension

  1. Suspension is not a disciplinary sanction or an indication of guilt. 
  2. Suspension ensures that no situation may arise that may cause further concern.
  3. Suspension also allows a period where further information may be received and, if appropriate, the statutory agencies, such as the police or social services, can carry out their duties. 

3.7.1.3 Suspension of a youth member
Suspension of a Squirrel, Beaver, Cub, Scout or Explorer (including a Young Leader) may be appropriate where: 

  1. there has been an allegation of their involvement in a serious criminal offence
  2. where information is held in respect of their involvement in a serious criminal offence 
  3. there has been an allegation of behaviour that puts young people or adults at serious risk of harm. 
  4. information is received that questions the suitability of a young person to be a young leader or young helper

Where a Young Leader is suspended from their Young Leader role, careful consideration must also be given as to whether the suspension also applies to them being an Explorer.

Where there are safeguarding concerns raised from any of these stated reasons, these must be reported to the UK Headquarters Safeguarding Team in line with POR 2a.7.

3.7.1.4 Possible outcomes following a period of suspension of a person under 18

  1. The outcome following a period of suspension is one of: 
    1. reinstatement 
    2. reinstatement with conditions 
    3. ending the young person’s membership

3.7.2 Suspending a young person aged under 18 (including Young Leaders)

3.7.2.1 Authority to suspend

  1. The authority to suspend a young person rests with the District Lead Volunteer, in consultation with the relevant Group Lead Volunteer or District 14-24 Team Leader. 
  2. Before suspending a young person, the District Lead Volunteer must:
    1. consult their County Lead Volunteer ([NI] the Regional Lead Volunteer).  
    2. seek advice from the Safeguarding Team at UK Headquarters. 
  3. In case of issues regarding the criminal record check (Scouts PVG disclosure) for a young leader or young helper in Scotland, the authority to suspend rests with the UK Headquarters Safeguarding Team. 

3.7.2.2 Statutory authority involvement
Where a statutory authority is involved, advice must be sought from that body through the UK Headquarters Safeguarding Team. 

3.7.2.3 Conditions during suspension
Where a young person’s membership has been suspended, the young person must not:

  1. participate in any activity connected with Scouts
  2. wear the uniform or badges. 

3.7.2.4 Communication with parents or carers
In countries other than Scotland, the parent(s) of the suspended youth member must be:

  1. informed of the suspension in writing
  2. be given a copy of Notes for the parents/carers of a young person under suspension
  3. offered an independent adult member to act as a supporter. 

In Scotland, the legal framework for safeguarding is different and the UK Headquarters Safeguarding Team will consider informing the young person's parent as appropriate.

3.7.3 Ending a period of suspension of a young person aged under 18 (including Young Leaders)

3.7.3.1 Local decision to reinstate or end membership

  1. At the end of a period of suspension:
    1. for a Squirrel, Beaver, Cub or Scout, the District Lead Volunteer and Group Lead Volunteer must determine suitability for a return to Scouts  
    2. for an Explorer (including Young Leaders), the District Lead Volunteer and District 14-24 Team Leader must determine suitability for a return to Scouts  
  2. Prior to making a decision, advice must be sought from:
    1. the County Lead Volunteer ([NI] the Regional Lead Volunteer). 
    2. the UK Headquarters Safeguarding Team who must advise whether further information is required from any statutory bodies.