{"content":{"layouts":[{"type":"singleColumn","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp\u003EIn general, suspensions for safeguarding reasons have 4 stages.\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Ch4\u003EStage 1: Suspension approval\u003C/h4\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThis\u2019s the first step to make the suspension official, so the UK HQ Safeguarding Team can record it in our digital tools. The Suspending Authority and the Approver need to agree on suspending the volunteer, similar to the process for other suspensions.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThe Safeguarding Team contacts the Suspending Authority and the Approver to share information confidentially and to get the suspension approved. They then record the suspension in our digital tools.\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIn some cases, where there is a statutory agency involved because of an allegation, the Suspending Authority will be the UK HQ Safeguarding Team, with the Approver being the appropriate Lead Volunteer.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIf the Safeguarding Team can\u2019t contact the relevant Lead Volunteer and the situation is time sensitive, they may need to escalate the suspension approval to the next Lead Volunteer(s).\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EYou\u2019ll find full details of who can suspend and approve a suspension in \u003Ca href=\u0022/por/16-adult-roles/167-apply-suspension-or-other-restrictions/\u0022 title=\u002216.7 Apply restrictions\u0022\u003EPOR Rule 16.7\u003C/a\u003E. \u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Ch4\u003EStage 2: Suspension implementation\u0026nbsp;\u003C/h4\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EOnce the suspension is approved, you\u2019ll work with the UK HQ Safeguarding Team to complete all tasks to implement the suspension, such as:\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ECommunicating the suspension to the volunteer and other relevant people, maintaining confidentiality.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022/volunteers/running-things-locally/tools-to-support-leadership-teams/suspensions/supporting-a-person-under-suspension/#Arrangealiaisonperson\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022Supporting a person under suspension\u0022 data-anchor=\u0022#Arrangealiaisonperson\u0022\u003EArrange a Liaison Person\u003C/a\u003E to support the suspended volunteer.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EAgree who\u2019ll be the main point of contact with the UK HQ Safeguarding Team about the case (the Situation Manager) and how often they\u2019ll communicate.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EAgree on next steps.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E\n\u003Ch4\u003EStage 3: Enquiries\u0026nbsp;\u003C/h4\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThis stage varies significantly from case to case. There might be internal enquiries and statutory agencies investigations.\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThe UK HQ Safeguarding Team will give you the necessary guidance. \u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Ch4\u003EStage 4: Suspension outcome agreed\u0026nbsp;\u003C/h4\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EOnce the statutory agency involvement concludes and local enquiries are done, you\u2019ll agree the \u003Ca href=\u0022/volunteers/running-things-locally/tools-to-support-leadership-teams/suspensions/suspensions-for-safeguarding-reasons/suspension-outcomes/\u0022 title=\u0022Suspension outcomes\u0022\u003Esuspension outcome\u003C/a\u003E with the UK HQ Safeguarding Team. Together you\u2019ll define what actions are needed depending on the outcome.\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThe UK HQ Safeguarding Team ends the suspension when all steps are completed. They\u2019ll register all necessary information on My Membership.\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cdiv class=\u0022OutlineElement Ltr SCXW227356262 BCX0\u0022\u003E\n\u003Ch3 class=\u0022Paragraph SCXW227356262 BCX0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW227356262 BCX0\u0022\u003ETimelines\u003C/span\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003C/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\u0022OutlineElement Ltr SCXW227356262 BCX0\u0022\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022Paragraph SCXW227356262 BCX0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW227356262 BCX0\u0022\u003EThe timelines for suspensions for safeguarding reasons vary significantly from case to case, depending on the investigations needed. Each case is unique, and it\u2019s\u0026nbsp;difficult to provide average timelines.\u003C/span\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003C/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\u0022OutlineElement Ltr SCXW227356262 BCX0\u0022\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022Paragraph SCXW227356262 BCX0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW227356262 BCX0\u0022\u003EThe UK HQ Safeguarding Team will explain the expected timelines, where possible, and guide you through each step.\u003C/span\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022Paragraph SCXW227356262 BCX0\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPage last reviewed:\u003C/strong\u003E November 2025\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003C/div\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""}]}],"config":null}]},"prev":{"link":"/volunteers/running-things-locally/tools-to-support-leadership-teams/suspensions/suspensions-for-safeguarding-reasons/understand-suspensions-for-safeguarding-reasons/","title":"Understand suspensions for safeguarding reasons"},"next":{"link":"/volunteers/running-things-locally/tools-to-support-leadership-teams/suspensions/suspensions-for-safeguarding-reasons/tips-for-managing-the-impact-of-the-suspension/","title":"Tips for managing the impact of the suspension"},"allParts":[{"link":"/volunteers/running-things-locally/tools-to-support-leadership-teams/suspensions/suspensions-for-safeguarding-reasons/understand-suspensions-for-safeguarding-reasons/","title":"Understand suspensions for safeguarding reasons"},{"link":"/volunteers/running-things-locally/tools-to-support-leadership-teams/suspensions/suspensions-for-safeguarding-reasons/stages-and-timelines/","title":"Stages and timelines"},{"link":"/volunteers/running-things-locally/tools-to-support-leadership-teams/suspensions/suspensions-for-safeguarding-reasons/tips-for-managing-the-impact-of-the-suspension/","title":"Tips for managing the impact of the suspension"},{"link":"/volunteers/running-things-locally/tools-to-support-leadership-teams/suspensions/suspensions-for-safeguarding-reasons/support-for-you-your-team-and-young-people/","title":"Support for you, your team and young people"},{"link":"/volunteers/running-things-locally/tools-to-support-leadership-teams/suspensions/suspensions-for-safeguarding-reasons/suspension-outcomes/","title":"Suspension outcomes"},{"link":"/volunteers/running-things-locally/tools-to-support-leadership-teams/suspensions/suspensions-for-safeguarding-reasons/what-to-consider-when-the-suspension-ends/","title":"What to consider when the suspension ends"}],"link":"/volunteers/running-things-locally/tools-to-support-leadership-teams/suspensions/suspensions-for-safeguarding-reasons/stages-and-timelines/","id":86512,"nodeName":"Stages and timelines","title":"Stages and timelines","type":"codexPart","image":null,"assets":null,"headerOptions":{"headerTitle":"Stages and timelines","headerSubTitle":null,"headerCta":null,"headerCtaText":null,"headerCtaLink":null,"headerBackgroundColour":null,"showSEOImage":false,"headerBackgroundImage":null,"quickLinks":null},"searchDescription":"Suspensions for safeguarding reasons - Stages and Timelines.","subHeader":"Suspensions for safeguarding reasons - Stages and Timelines.","browserTitle":null,"silktide":"eyJjbXMiOiJVbWJyYWNvIiwiZWRpdG9yVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9wcm9kLWNtcy5zY291dHMub3JnLnVrLy91bWJyYWNvIy9jb250ZW50L2NvbnRlbnQvZWRpdC84NjUxMiJ9","canonicalUrl":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/running-things-locally/tools-to-support-leadership-teams/suspensions/suspensions-for-safeguarding-reasons/stages-and-timelines/"}