AMENDMENT: Chapter 15 rewritten.
The following also applies to Members of the Scout Network.
Formal suspension of Membership or Associate Membership ensures that no situation in Scouting arises which could cause further concern and that no adult is placed in a position which could cause further compromise. Such action may be necessary in the following cases:
when an allegation is made that a Member or Associate Member has committed a serious criminal offence. In this case the Member must be suspended until police inquiries and any legal proceedings have been concluded;
when a disagreement or dispute between adults cannot be resolved quickly. In this case the suspension is to be for a period of not more than 90 days in the first instance. Suspension for further periods of not more than 90 days may follow;
when the action of an individual could seriously harm the reputation of the Movement.
In every case Membership may be suspended only by the appropriate authority with approval from the other appropriate authority as defined in the following table:
Authority to approve the suspension of an adult Person whose Membership is to be suspended Authority to suspend Authority to approve suspension Regional Commissioners Chief Commissioner Country Headquarters County Commissioners Regional Commissioner Chief Commissioner Other Commissioners, County Scouters, County and District Administrators, Advisers and Scout Network Members County Commissioner Regional Commissioner District and Group Scouters, Sectional Assistants and Skills Instructors, Group Administrators, Advisers, Members and Associate Members District Commissioner County Commissioner Note: Where issues of Child Protection are involved see also Rule 2.4 f
During a suspension under this Rule, any Leader Warrant or Certificate of Appointment must be surrendered to the suspending authority.
The suspended Member or Associate Member must not participate in any activity connected with the Movement and must not wear uniform or badges.
They must be informed of their suspension in writing and given a copy of the information sheet Notes for a person under suspension.
They must also be offered an independent Scouting colleague to act as a supporter. The information sheet Supporting a person under suspension provides relevant guidelines.
Any appointment held will be regarded as vacant.
Suspension in the case of disagreement must be followed as soon as possible by conciliation and such further steps as are necessary.
When a person's Membership is suspended or the nature of the suspension changes, the appropriate Commissioner must inform the Records Department at Headquarters.
The procedures for suspension detailed in this Rule must not be applied to Beaver Scouts, Cub Scouts, Scouts, or Explorer Scouts.
For further information see the booklet 'The Appointment of Adults in Scouting - Guidelines for Appointments sub-Committees' available from the Scout Information Centre
