Online Scout Manager (OSM) has a great selection of built in help on the OSM Parent Portal. 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.
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.
Pay Automatically (recommended) - your payment method will be initiated automatically when there are payments due for your child. You will be invited to "Pay Automatically" when you make a "Pay Now" payment.
Pay Now - you have to approve each payment manually - logging in to OSM each time.
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.
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.
Pay Automatically (recommended) - your payment method will be initiated automatically when there are payments due for your child. You will be invited to "Pay Automatically" when you make a "Pay Now" payment.
Pay Now - you have to approve each payment manually - logging in to OSM each time.
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.
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.
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.
To opt in, click MAKE DECLARATION and follow the instructions. If your details are already correct, simply confirm them by clicking the button at the bottom of the page. You can also use the link anytime to review or change your Gift Aid status.
Please decline if you do not want, or are not able, to join the scheme - this will save someone chasing you in future.
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.
Login to OSM Parent Portal as normal
For your child, select Payments
Click Cancel payment authority
Once processed, subscribe to the Subs schedule again, click Create subscription
When prompted, click Remove Account to remove the old dual-authority account and start again.
OSM provides the following explanation:
When a parent is setting up a Direct Debit (subscribes to a schedule) there is a box that they can tick if their account requires payments to be approved by more than one person.
People with joint accounts sometimes tick this in error, when in fact either account holder has full authority to carry out transactions without reference to the other.
To resolve this, the parent must remove their account from OSM and start again, this time, when they get to the GoCardless screen, they should not tick the box that says they need dual authority.
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!
