The Suspension Process
The Suspension Process
Introduction
As part of your role as a Lead Volunteer, it may be necessary to suspend a volunteer’s involvement for a period of time. Suspending a volunteer is a neutral act and is intended to protect Scouting and all the individuals concerned.
Suspensions apply to the volunteer’s entire membership. This means suspended volunteers aren’t allowed in any Scout meetings, events and premises until the suspension is lifted. This also means the volunteer is suspended from all roles they might have, including across Groups, Districts, Counties/Areas/Regions (Scotland) and at Headquarters.
Lead Volunteer should read this guidance in conjunction with POR Chapter 16, where the suspensions process is explained.
If you have a Safeguarding concern related to a volunteer, please follow the yellow card and contact the HQ Safeguarding team. The team will be able to support you. You can contact them on +44(0)20 8433 7164 or [email protected].
Suspensions purpose
Suspending a volunteer is a neutral act and is intended to protect the movement and all the individuals concerned.
It allows time and space for any necessary investigation or enquiry to take place, in as fair and objective manner as possible. It prevents situations that could give rise to further concerns or allegations and could potentially cause further compromise.
The reasons for suspensions
You’ll find a detailed list of reasons for suspending a volunteer in POR Rule 16.7.
If the reason for suspension is related to a safeguarding concern, follow the Suspensions for safeguarding reasons guidance. The UK HQ Safeguarding Team are there to support you throughout the process.
Who’s involved in the suspensions process
At least 2 Lead Volunteers (except Group Lead Volunteers) need to be involved in the suspensions process. The first Lead Volunteer (Suspending Authority) suspends the volunteer, and the next Lead Volunteer (Approver) “one level up” approves the suspension. For example, if the District Lead Volunteer is the Suspending Authority, then the County Lead Volunteer will be the Approver.
Lead Volunteers can share this task with a volunteer with a Suspension Lead accreditation. To find out who can have this accreditation and what learning needs to be completed, read the Leadership Team Accreditations.
The suspended volunteer can also have an independent Scouts volunteer to act as liaison person. Read the section Suspending the volunteer to find out more information about the liaison person.
If the reason for suspension is related to a safeguarding concern, follow the Suspensions for safeguarding reasons guidance. You can contact the UK HQ on +44(0)20 8433 7164 or [email protected].