Help with OSM

OSM has a great selection of built in help on the OSM Parent Potal.  Check out the HELP section on the bottom left navigator.  There are videos and articles on a wide range of topics and common questions, including:  SIgning up to Events, How to keep Personal Details up to date, How to view the meeting programme etc

Login in to OSM Parent Portal now to find out more.

Online Payments - the basics

OSM's payment system operates in two modes.  You can choose which mode your want payments to be made by.  You can change this at any time.

Note - the 'Pay Now' buttons can be disabled by your leaders, so may not be visible.

Which ever 'mode' you chose, you will always be emailed each time a payment is due and have the chance to review it, cancel it or pay it immediately.

And don't forget - because payments are collected using the Direct Debit system, you are protected by the Direct Debit Guarantee.

Online Payments - first payment / setting up

Following the instructions in payment an due email to open OSM Parent Portal and bring up the payment item itself.  

OSM's payment system operates in two modes.  You can choose which mode your want payments to be made by.  You can change this at any time.

Note - the 'Pay Now' buttons can be disabled by your leaders, so may not be visible.

First and future payments

The first time you make a payment to your Group or Unit, you’ll need to register your payment details with our payment service provider, GoCardless. This is a one-time setup - after that, you can use your existing GoCardless account for future payments. Both OSM and GoCardless will guide you through the process.


For convenience, we recommend using the ‘Pay Automatically’ option. Once set up, payments will be processed automatically on the due date, and you’ll still receive reminder emails. If you ever want to stop automatic payments, simply click ‘Cancel Payment Authority’ to disable future transactions.


Alternatively, you can use the ‘Pay Now’ button to complete a one-off payment immediately. Keep in mind that you’ll need to repeat this action for future payments.


If a payment is still pending, you’ll see a ‘Cancel’ button next to it, allowing you to cancel before it’s processed.


Online Payments - Gift Aid and why it's important

Gift Aid is a government initiative that allows charities to claim an extra 25 pence for every £1 donated, at no cost to you. Scout Groups and Explorer Units are registered charities, and Gift Aid can significantly benefit these small organisations.

Gift Aid can be claimed on donations, including the membership fees you paid for your child’s Scout membership. The additional income helps fund engaging and diverse programs while keeping membership fees affordable.

Please register for Gift Aid if you are an eligible UK tax payer

If you’re a UK taxpayer, please consider registering for Gift Aid. It won’t cost you anything - the government provides the extra 25p for every £1 donated, and your Group handles the process. All you need to do is complete a simple registration.

Ask your local leaders for a Gift Aid declaration link. From there, you can opt in or decline the scheme. 

How to fix "Pending dual-parent approval"

OSM is reporting a "Pending dual-parent approval" error and payment has not been able to be processed and is now overdue.

This can be resolved in a few simple steps.  Take a moment to complete these steps now.


What does the error mean?  

OSM provides the following explanation:

Online payment fees

Every online transaction, including those made through OSM and GoCardless, comes with associated costs, even if you don’t see them. Our providers are the same and apply the following fees for their services:

GoCardless: Charges 1% + 20p per domestic (UK GBP) transaction, capped at £4.

OSM: Charges 1.95% per transaction.

The payment amount you send is collected by the provider, and after deducting these fees, the remaining funds are sent to your Group or Unit. Each Group decides how to handle these transaction costs, so if you have any questions, speak a local team member.

Many Groups view these charges as a necessary “cost of doing business." and will absorb the fees.  The benefits include saving significant time for Leaders, reducing the need for cash and paperwork, and improving financial transparency—every payment is logged and reconciled automatically. This ensures smoother operations and more time for what really matters: Scouting adventures!