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2011 Census

Census investigators are now working in this area.

All 2011 Census field staff wear photo identification badges and carry other visibly branded items. Census field staff will never ask anyone for bank account details. If you are at all unsure about the identity of anyone claiming to be from the census, please contact the Census Customer Services on 01329 444972 in England.

Winning poster advertising the 2011 Census

What is the Census?

The next census takes place on 27 March 2011.

The census is an estimate of the population that is carried out every ten years. Everyone in the UK is asked the same questions about the same day so that a snapshot of the population can be taken at one point in time. The results are used to plan the services and resources you need in your community such as schools, transport, housing and health. The number of people included in the census affects the amount of funding given to each local area for each service. The census is your chance to help shape your community for tomorrow.

Image of a woman reading census help information (Copyright: ONS)

Help available

Lots of help is available for everyone.

The following help will be available from 4th March 2011:

Online help centre at http://2011.census.gov.uk/The-accessible-census

Online questionnaire at http://www.census.gov.uk

Audio poster at http://2011.census.gov.uk/Census-Partners/Communities/Accessibility/Audio-poster

Audio factsheet at http://2011.census.gov.uk/en/index.php?content_id=1428

Audio guides at http://2011.census.gov.uk/en/index.php?content_id=122

British Sign Language video at http://2011.census.gov.uk/en/index.php?content_id=121

Large print and easy read guides and sample questionnaires available to order from online help at http://www.census.gov.uk or the census helpline

Braille guidance booklets in English from the census helpline

BrowseAloud software available for download

Accessibility options at the top of census web pages to increase the type size or change colour combinations

Translation booklets containing guidance and a sample questionnaire in any of more than 50 languages through online help at http://www.census.gov.uk.

Translation booklet/easy read information leaflet or seek further help and advice through the census helpline.

Telephone help 01329 444972

Email census.customerservices@ons.gsi.gov.uk

Frequently asked questions

Image of the Census logo (Copyright: ONS) The answers to the most commonly asked questions about the national census are available on this web page http://2011.census.gov.uk/My-census/Frequently-asked-questions (external link).

If you can't find what you're looking for here, more help is available online at:
www.census.gov.uk/2011accessibility (external link).

Or contact the Census Customer Services:

Telephone 01329 444972 or by Email census.customerservices@ons.gsi.gov.uk

Image of a census collector at a door (Copyright: ONS)

How to do it

Image of people filling in the census (Copyright: ONS)

Your questionnaire will be posted or delivered to you by hand in time for Census day. For most of the questions, all you have to do is tick the box that applies to you, or write your answer in the box provided. You can complete and submit the form online or fill it in by hand and post it back. The questionnaire and the information leaflet that comes with it will contain lots of help about how to fill in and submit your answers. Alternatively, an online help centre and telephone helpline will be available and census staff will visit households that do not respond and need help completing the questionnaire. Taking part in the census is compulsory and everyone should be included.

Image of a student completing the census (Copyright: ONS)

Why not do it online?

Completing the census online is straightforward, convenient and secure - and you may find it quicker than doing it on paper. Check out http://2011.census.gov.uk/Complete-your-census-online for more details(external link). Please note: the last opportunity to fill your census in online is on Sunday 22 May 2011.

How is your data protected?

Image of census security (Copyright: ONS)

The data collected in the census is protected by law and is kept strictly confidential. No information is given out that could identify you or your household and no personal data is shared with any local or national government department or business. The information is only used to produce numbers of people that can then be used by everyone to plan and allocate services. The names and addresses are securely filed away and are only released after 100 years for the benefit of historians and people tracing their ancestors.

Image of a census field staff person (Copyright: ONS)

Useful links:

ONS 2011 Census web page: http://comms.census.gov.uk/en/index.php (external link).

If you have any further queries regarding the 2011 Census, please contact the RBWM Assistant Census Liaison Manager:

Tel: 01628 796066
Email: jennifer.heaton@RBWM.gov.uk
Address:

Planning and Development Unit,
Town Hall,
St. Ives Road,
Maidenhead,
SL6 6RF