{"alias":"contentPage","byline":null,"standfirst":null,"content":{"layouts":[{"type":"singleColumn","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp\u003EA person who has been suspended from Scouts is entitled to an independent Scouting colleague to provide some personal contact so that they are not entirely disconnected from Scouting. These guidance notes set out the responsibilities that the liaison role covers.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThe suspending authority, following discussions with the suspended person, appoints the liaison person. This is an informal role within Scouting. It is part of the support offered to an adult, during what may be a difficult time.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Ch3\u003EThe liaison person role\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThe liaison person gives direct support to the suspended person usually for the duration of the suspension, but this may be extended if required.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThe liaison person is appointed by the suspending authority at the request of and with the agreement of the suspended person.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIt is the liaison person\u2019s role to provide a listening ear and to help the suspended person feel less disconnected from Scouting. Remember that the suspended person must not be involved in Scouting apart from the contact required for the suspension process itself.\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThe suspension process is managed by the suspending authority who will keep the suspended person updated on the status of the process. The suspending authority may delegate this to a Suspension Lead. The liaison person has no responsibility for the running of the suspension process.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThe liaison person will not be involved in any way with any allegation, or with any subsequent Scout investigation, and will not take part in the process. The liaison person is not expected to enter into any legal, financial or personal commitment, for example bail, surety, binding over, or be involved in court proceedings.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThe liaison person should not discuss or advise on any details of any alleged incident, or champion the suspended person\u2019s case. The liaison person will remain neutral and should always remember their role is to provide personal support only. They should keep in regular contact with the person they are supporting. This may involve meeting the person or telephoning them. The frequency of any contact will depend on the suspended person\u2019s wishes and may vary as the situation develops, and should be agreed with the suspended person.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Ch3\u003EThings to consider\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ESome points for the liaison person, when considering or undertaking this role:\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EDo say early on if you think you cannot do the role.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EDo keep an open mind.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EDo offer support in a proactive way \u2013 don\u2019t wait to be asked.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EDo maintain confidentiality. Should you feel you need to share anything you\u0027re told, for example a breach of POR, or an allegation of an offence, tell the person you\u0027re supporting and report it to the appropriate person/team.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EDo regularly consider whether the role is still appropriate for you.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EDo not get involved with any investigation.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EDo not get personally involved. You have been appointed for your ability to remain objective.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EDo not give legal / technical advice but you can suggest where the person can get advice and support.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ESpeak to the suspending authority if you are unable to continue in this role for any reason.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EProvide details of other organisations where people can get support for mental wellbeing. Details can be found on the \u003Ca href=\u0022https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/staying-safe-and-safeguarding/supporting-young-people/mental-health/\u0022 title=\u0022Mental health organisations\u0022\u003EMental Health organisations webpage\u003C/a\u003E.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EMaintain contact with the suspending authority about the suspended member and escalate matters if you are concerned about their welfare.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E\n\u003Ch3\u003EFurther information\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/running-things-locally/tools-to-support-leadership-teams/suspensions/notes-for-a-person-under-suspension/\u0022 title=\u0022Notes for a person under suspension\u0022\u003ENotes for a person under suspension\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022/volunteers/running-things-locally/tools-to-support-leadership-teams/suspensions/suspensions-process-for-lead-volunteers/\u0022 title=\u0022Suspensions Process for Lead Volunteers\u0022\u003EThe suspension process\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022/volunteers/staying-safe-and-safeguarding/supporting-young-people/mental-health/\u0022 title=\u0022Mental health\u0022\u003EMental health organisations webpage\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""}]}],"config":null},{"type":"singleColumn","areas":[{"items":[{"type":"Promo","cta":"Download the guidance on supporting a person under suspension","body":"","link":{"name":"Guidance Supporting A Person Under Suspension The Liaison Role","id":null,"url":"https://prod-cms.scouts.org.uk//media/j3nnvtek/guidance-supporting-a-person-under-suspension-the-liaison-role.pdf","newWindow":false,"target":null},"colour":null,"title":"","image":null,"imageFocus":"","imageId":0,"imageKey":"00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000","imageCrop":"","gridType":"card","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""}]}],"config":null}]},"searchDescription":"Read the notes for liaison persons who are supporting a person under suspension from The Scout Association.","pageType":null,"location":null,"browserTitle":"","versionDate":"07 February 2025","reviewDate":"01/01/0001","redirectUrl":"","id":84557,"nodeName":"Supporting a person under suspension","title":"Supporting a person under suspension","type":"contentPage","image":{"url":"/media/12108/fdl-hp.jpg?width=800\u0026height=450\u0026v=1dab8e1b20252a0","caption":"Scouts purple logo","type":"jpg","size":93039,"width":1268,"height":664,"altText":"An image of a purple background showing the white Scouts logo"},"assets":null,"headerOptions":{"headerTitle":"Supporting a person under suspension: the liaison person","headerSubTitle":"","headerCta":"","headerCtaText":"","headerCtaLink":"","headerBackgroundColour":"006ddf","showSEOImage":false,"headerBackgroundImage":null,"quickLinks":[]},"subHeader":"Read the notes for liaison persons who are supporting a person under suspension from The Scout Association.","silktide":"eyJjbXMiOiJVbWJyYWNvIiwiZWRpdG9yVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9wcm9kLWNtcy5zY291dHMub3JnLnVrLy91bWJyYWNvIy9jb250ZW50L2NvbnRlbnQvZWRpdC84NDU1NyJ9","canonicalUrl":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/running-things-locally/tools-to-support-leadership-teams/suspensions/supporting-a-person-under-suspension/"}