Ending the suspension

If the volunteer was suspended due to no valid disclosure they will be automatically reinstated when they submit a disclosure and have successfully completed the vetting process. If a valid disclosure is not obtained within 90 days of suspension, the individual’s roles(s) will be automatically closed.  

For all other reasons, the suspending Commissioner and the Appointments Advisory Committee (consulting with the suspended volunteer’s line manager as appropriate) decide the suspension’s outcome: 

• Reinstate the role 
• Modify the role 
• End the role  

The authorising Commissioner’s decision is final in all circumstances, including where there’s no unanimous recommendation or the authorising Commissioner disagrees with the recommendation. There’s no right to appeal against this process.  

In certain circumstances, Scouts headquarters is permitted to directly end the suspension by excluding the volunteer if they’re unsuitable to participate in Scouts. This is exclusion will automatically cancel the volunteer’s membership. In this case, the line manager will be informed.  

You’ll find more information on suspension outcomes in POR Rule 16.4. 

If the suspended volunteer has roles in multiple Districts, Counties, Areas or Regions (Scotland) and the outcome is to end a role, the roles in other Districts, Counties, Areas or Regions (Scotland) won’t necessarily be affected by this outcome.  

All Districts, Counties, Areas and Regions (Scotland) in which the suspended volunteer has a role must consider carefully whether that volunteer can continue with that role. This will require discussion between people so that the relevant facts are taken properly into account 

The suspending Commissioner must record the outcome of the suspension in Compass. The authorising Commissioner will then approve the outcome, and the suspension ends.  

You’ll find more information on how to do this at the Requesting the Cancellation of Someone’s Membership Following Suspension on Compass Guidance. 

If the outcome of a suspension is to end the role, by selecting this option on Compass you’ll only be recording the suspension’s outcome. This means the process of ending the volunteer’s role will be done separately. 

The authorising Commissioner must make sure the outcome is informed to the volunteer in writing.  

If the outcome is to reinstate the volunteer (with or without modifications), use the return from suspension email template. You can also meet with the volunteer to provide an opportunity to debrief the experience from their perspective. 

You should also inform the outcome to the liaison person, if there’s one. 

Together with the volunteer’s line manager, you should consider if informing other volunteers of the suspension outcome is needed and appropriate.  

If this is the case, consider what’s the best way to do this. You may also consider offering other volunteers the opportunity to debrief the experience from their perspective. 

If the reason for suspension is related to a safeguarding concern, the headquarters Safeguarding Team are there to support you throughout this process. You can contact them on +44(0)20 8433 7164 or safeguarding@scouts.org.uk.