Portsmouth District now operates a Single Central Waiting List via Online Scout Manager (OSM). This unified system ensures fair access to Scouting across the District and supports future growth planning.
All enquiries — whether through Group Finder, the “Join Us” link, or direct referrals — are routed to this central list.
📧 For enquiries, contact: membership@portsmouthscouts.org.uk
All new members must register via OSM. This can happen in one of three ways:
Via Group Finder on scouts.org.uk (national or County)
An automated process receives the enquiry and sends instructions for how to register in OSM.
Directly at join.portsmouthscouts.org.uk
A link opens the OSM page directly from the website.
Added to Group Waiting Lists (by a team member)
Automation pulls Group lists and combines them with the District List.
All routes lead to the District Single Central Waiting List, managed by the District Team.
Parents complete a simple form in OSM, which adds them to the Central Waiting List.
OSM then sends instructions for the next step: Parent Preferences (optional).
This short optional questionnaire helps our Membership Team target offers more effectively.
The District Team regularly reviews the Central Waiting List and shares new enquiries with Group Lead Volunteers, Section Team Leaders, or Group Membership Coordinators.
If your Group has space:
Email membership@portsmouthscouts.org.uk to request member candidates
The District Team will respond with OSM records for potential members
Groups apply their local criteria to decide whether to accept or decline.
If a place is not offered:
Transfer the record back to the Central Waiting List in OSM
Notify membership@portsmouthscouts.org.uk by email
Note: There is no “top of the list.” Places are allocated based on local criteria. We cannot provide updates to parents/carers about waiting list progress or start dates.
Contact the parent/carer
Introduce your Group/Section
Propose a start date
Discuss any necessary adjustments
Transfer the candidate in OSM to the appropriate section
Transfer the record back to the Central Waiting List
Notify membership@portsmouthscouts.org.uk
Delete the candidate from your waiting list in OSM
Need help or got a question? Email membership@portsmouthscouts.org.uk
To keep things simple and efficient:
Everyone should be offered a place when one is available
Groups apply their local prioritisation criteria
Parents/carers should be encouraged to accept the offer
If declined:
No longer interested → Delete the record
“Not now, maybe later” → Explain the place is available now. If still declined, delete the record and note they can reapply when ready
Distance or meeting day issues → Transfer back to Central Waiting List and inform the District Team
✅ Thank you for helping us keep the process fair, consistent, and efficient for all families across Portsmouth Scouts.
Contact membership@portsmouthscouts.org.uk for more details.
