Welcome, and thank you for your support with Census 2021.
This page contains some downloads hosting to allow you to save the files. If you are not a drop box user you can download the links using the arrow in the top right when the link opens in a new window. This works for the files videos and spreadsheets.
You should already have received this explanatory letter from the CC:-
Please read this first – West Lancs Census 2021 letter
And also your log in details for the national census site for your Group. If not, please email the District Secretary to get these alan.hague@lonsdalescouts.org.uk
TIMETABLE:
Early January: Census website passwords sent to Groups
14 January: Census website opens https://census.scouts.org.uk/
17 January: Spreadsheets circulated from County (see below)
31 January: The census is taken on this date. No data should be recorded/submitted before this date
7 February: Deadline for return of spreadsheets and completion of online return
14 February: Invoices sent to GSLs for payment of membership fees – £46.00 per youth member
28 February: Deadline for payments to be made to the District Finance Officer. (Details will accompany invoice)
GROUPS:
Video Guides:
Intro & 1st tab Group Info tab Youth tab Adult tab Youth Leaders & Waiting List tab Summary
EXPLORERS:
Video Guides:
Introduction and First tab Explorers Sheet
NETWORK:
Video Guides:
Introduction and First tab Network
SUBMITTING YOUR SPREADSHEET:
Your census return should reflect your membership as of 31st January as that is the day the numbers are to be “counted” on – although you can get started straight away by preparing your data for both youth and adult data in compass. When you have completed your spreadsheet, please upload it here –
Submission Page – https://westlancsscouts.org.uk/censusupload
Once you’ve completed the spreadsheet, please use the numbers on the summary sheet to help complete your census return on the Scout HQ census system. https://census.scouts.org.uk/
* N.B. GSLs -Before you submit you Group return you must first approve all your section returns.
County will process the spreadsheet in accordance with the details set out in the CC’s letter. Your District Coordinator (Alan Hague) will also do some validation along with the approval that is required on the HQ census system.
If there are any queries from your submission your District Coordinator will reach out to you, and don’t forget your District Coordinator and the County Census Team are there to help so don’t suffer in silence.
Readiness:
Preparations Groups/Units can undertake now:
GSLs – review your leaders’ ‘Compass’ records:-
Are they up to date?
Is their ‘Primary Role’ correct?
Diversity Information:-
It’s really important that this information is accurate.
You may have this information already via Online Scout Manager (OSM), if not,
example forms to elicit this can be downloaded here – issuing these now to parents/carers will help in having this available in good time. This information is collected anonymously.
Once collated and recorded on the census record, the forms should be destroyed.
COVID-19:-
How many youth members do we have?
A number of Groups/Units have been meeting online during the pandemic and some have held occasional outdoor socially distanced events and may therefore be aware of which of their members are still active. Now would be a good time to have a conversation with parents/carers of those that haven’t involved themselves as to whether their child wishes to retain their place in the Group. Communicating may best be done by ‘phone. Spread the load – perhaps Group Executive members might be approached to help with this important task?.
Guidance for ‘who are your members?’ – includes template wording for parents/carers letter
Essential Information:-
Please make sure that you have dates of birth and post codes for all your members. Entering this information on the spreadsheet will enable County to have the opportunity to support them in ensuring that we are providing membership services to all our members, monitoring retention and to seek external funding opportunities.
