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The national Census takes place every ten years and is a count of every person living in the UK. Census Day is 27th March 2011.
The Census matters to everyone as its population counts are used to allocate money to Luton for local services in the next 10 years. These include health, the emergency services, schools and colleges, housing, roads and public transport and other services such as sports & leisure facilities. Businesses also use Census information to help plan where to provide jobs and facilities such as shops.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) is working closely with Luton Borough Council to plan for the Census and to encourage and help everyone to be counted.
Every household will receive a Census form in March. For the first time it will be possible to complete the Census on-line via the internet as well as returning a form by post.
Is the Census Compulsory?
Yes – it is compulsory. Every householder must, by law, complete and return a 2011 Census questionnaire. A householder is the person who owns or rents the property and is wholly or partly responsible for paying household bills.
Is It Confidential?
Whatever your clients tell the Census will be kept in the strictest confidence and will only be used to produce statistics. ONS will not share personal information with any other government department or organisation. Census data is kept confidential for 100 years.
Why Is the Census Important?
Census data underpins Government funding for public services in Luton including the NHS and the emergency services as well as services provided by Luton Borough Council
Many organisations such as Councils, health bodies and voluntary organisations also use Census data to identify local needs and to inform the planning and funding of services at a local level.
National and local funding for voluntary organisations is also usually allocated using information from the Census.
Clients of voluntary organisations and advice agencies frequently make greater than average use of hospitals and other health or social care services whose funding is also based on Census data.
How will the Census be conducted?
In early March households will receive a questionnaire via the Royal Mail.
The householder can complete the questionnaire on paper and return it using a free post envelope. Alternatively, for the first time in 2011, each form will have a unique internet access code,and householders can respond online. Everyone living or staying in the household on Census day must be included on the questionnaire - even babies and visitors. Completion should take around 10 minutes for each person (less for children), plus an extra few minutes to answer the questions about the household.
Census questionnaires should be returned before, on or as soon as possible after 27 March making sure the information refers to that date.
Communal Establishments
In hospitals, care homes, student halls and other communal establishments such as hostels, the Census will be conducted by a Special Enumerator.
The Special Enumerator will contact the manager of the organisation to make arrangements for delivery and collection of the forms.
As well as forms for completion by individuals, the manager will also need to fill in a communal establishment questionnaire.
Help
Help is available for those who have questions or difficulties in completing the Census form.
- Online help at www.census.gov.uk (English)
- Census helpline 0300 0201 101 from 4 March
- Text Relay 18001 0300 0201 160
Information is also being produced in 56 languages and a variety of formats to help people who will face difficulties such as those with disabilities.
In April & May Census Collectors will call on households who have not returned a Census form to encourage and help them.
How Can Advice Agencies Help with the Census?
Advice agencies can help In various ways:
- publicising and promoting the Census to your clients, staff and partners in advance of Census day and during the completion period which runs until mid May.
- briefing your staff at team meetings on the importance of the Census and how clients can be helped to participate
- issuing reminders to staff such as 'Remember to complete and return your Census form by 31 March ' via IT systems or payslips
- encouraging staff and where practicable clients to complete their Census form on-line using the organisation's PC's
- hosting a Completion Event
Completion Events
Many voluntary organisations and advice agencies are holding Completion Events to help their clients participate in the Census. A Completion Event could be held in an advice centre, place of worship, community hall, Day Centre or other local facility. The local Census Area Manager can provide further information and help facilitate a Completion Event
If your organisation is interested in hosting a Completion Event please contact the Census Area Manager, Jerry Lake via G108@census.gov.uk
The Census needs everyone to take part in helping tomorrow take shape – and this will be your organisation's chance to help make a difference.
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