Suspensions
Guide and training clips on how to recommend, approve, add notes to, and end a suspension
Quick links
Guide last reviewed: May 2025
To watch in full screen, double click the video
Recommend a suspension
Who can complete this task: Lead Volunteers (except Group Lead Volunteers) and Suspension Leads.
Note: Before recommending a suspension on scouts.org.uk, read the suspensions process guidance and speak to the next Lead volunteer in the hierarchy.
Start by signing in to scouts.org.uk.
On your welcome page:
1. Click ‘My membership’.
On the top right (if you’re using a phone, click the menu button on the top right):
2. Click 'Search member'.
3. Type the member’s name into the search box.
You can also search a member by their membership number, unit, email, team, role and accreditation. You'll need to select the 'Filter by' option from the dropdown menu.
4. Click 'Search'.
5. Click the member’s name from the list.
On the left-hand side menu, under the member’s name (if you’re using a phone, click the menu button on the top right, then click the member’s name):
6. Click 'Suspend member'.
On the 'Initiate suspension request' page:
7. Select a 'Reason for suspension' from the dropdown menu.
9. Type your comments into the box.
10. Tick the box to confirm the information you provided is accurate.
11. Click 'Submit'.
A message will appear at the bottom of the page confirming you've successfully submitted the suspension.
What happens next: My membership will notify the next Lead Volunteer in the hierarchy, requesting them to approve or reject the suspension.
If the request is declined, My membership notifies the recommending Lead Volunteer.
If the request is approved, My membership notifies the volunteer and automatically limits the volunteers view in My membership.
If the reason for suspension is either safety and/or safeguarding learning non-compliance, or criminal record check non-compliance, My membership also sends an email to the volunteer and their Lead Volunteer to notify they're suspended.
Approve or reject a suspension
Who can complete this task: County, Region and Country Lead Volunteers, and Suspension Leads.
Note: It is recommended that the Lead Volunteer arranges a conversation with the volunteer to inform them of the suspension. Communication in writing must follow before the suspension is approved on scouts.org.uk. Read the suspension process guidance for further information.
Start by signing in to scouts.org.uk.
On your welcome page:
1. Click ‘My membership’.
On the left-hand side menu (if you’re using a phone, click the menu button on the top right):
2. Click ‘Safe Scouting’.
3. Click ‘Suspension actions’.
On the ‘Suspensions’ page:
4. Click the member’s name on the list.
On the ‘Review suspension request’ page:
5. Type your comments into the ‘Approver comments’ text box.
6. Tick the acknowledgement box.
7. Click ‘Approve suspension’ or ‘Decline suspension’.
A message will appear at the bottom of the page confirming you've successfully approved or rejected the suspension.
What happens next:
If the request is declined, the approver should talk to the recommending Lead Volunteer, or Suspension Lead - no further action is taken in My membership
If the request is approved, My membership notifies the volunteer and automatically limits the volunteers view in My membership.
If the reason for suspension is either safety and/or safeguarding learning non-compliance, or criminal record check non-compliance, My membership also sends an email to the volunteer and their Lead Volunteer to notify they're suspended.
Submit a suspensions outcome recommendation
Who can complete this task: Lead Volunteers (except Group Lead Volunteers) and Suspension Leads.
Note: Before recommending a suspension outcome recommendation on scouts.org.uk, read the suspensions process guidance and speak to the next Lead volunteer in the hierarchy.
Start by signing in to scouts.org.uk.
On your welcome page:
1. Click ‘My membership’.
On the left-hand side menu (if you’re using a phone, click the menu button on the top right):
2. Click ‘Safe Scouting’.
3. Click ‘Suspension actions’.
On the ‘Suspensions’ page:
4. Click the member’s name on the list.
On the ‘Review suspension request’ page, under ‘Add investigation details’:
5. Type your comments into the ‘Case background’ box.
6. Type your comments into the ‘Details of investigation’ box.
7. Type your recommendation into the ‘Recommended outcome’ box.
8. Click ‘Browse’ to upload supporting documents.
9. Select a document from your device and click ‘Open’.
10. Click ‘Submit’.
What happens next: My membership will notify the next Lead Volunteer in the hierarchy, requesting them to approve or reject the suspension outcome.
Approve a suspension outcome
Who can complete this task: County, Region and Country Lead Volunteers, and Suspension Leads.
Note: The outcome of the suspension will need to be communicated to the volunteer in writing. Read the suspensions process guidance for further information.
Start by signing in to scouts.org.uk.
On your welcome page:
1. Click ‘My membership’.
On the left-hand side menu (if you’re using a phone, click the menu button on the top right):
2. Click ‘Safe scouting’.
3. Click ‘Suspension actions’.
On the ‘Suspensions’ page:
4. Click the member’s name on the list.
On the ‘Review suspension request’ page, under ‘Suspension outcome’:
5. Under ‘Decision’, select ‘Reinstate’, ‘End Membership’ or ‘End Member Role’ from the dropdown menu.
6. Type your comments into the ‘Reason for decision’ box.
7. Click ‘Submit’.
A message will appear at the bottom of the page confirming you've successfully saved the suspension outcome.
What happens next:
If the decision is Re-instate or End Member role, My Membership ends the suspension.
If the decision is End Membership, the suspension remains in place.