The Census Field Officers have now started working. They will be calling at people’s homes from whom we have not received a completed census.  That should avoid anyone who completed theirs online on Census Day and if one is still in the post the officer will annotate the record and not call back until time has passed for that form to be received and processed.  They will not be completing forms there and then with householders – they will observe social distancing and never enter a house – but will be able to offer a wide range of support and advice, including arranging for replacement unique access codes, paper forms if they are needed and answering specific questions.  They will also be able to point householders towards sources of help to actually complete the census with people who are struggling to do so themselves.

For those who need help and support there are a range of resources:-

• There’s the Census contact centre which can be contacted on 0800 141 2021 (or text via 86677) or 0800 587 2021 for those who need language support, Both are freephone numbers.
• There’s a lot of information at https://census.gov.uk/.  There isn’t a search function but it is logically arranged and the guidance is very clear.  I’ve been able to find answers to almost all my questions there.
• Text relay service: (08001) 0800 141 2021
• Census Support Centres. There are number situated in libraries within Adur, Worthing, Chichester and Arun districts, as well as one in Crawley, all currently operating on a booking system. Unfortunately there are none in either Horsham or Mid Sussex. You can  find you nearest one via the Census website or by calling 0800 141 2021