Census Assisted Digital Service (Supplier Market Engagement)

Assisted Digital Early Market Engagement: Helping the 'can't do digital' group do the census online. Following our recent supplier engagement event on Wednesday 25th April in London, we would like to invite you to our follow-up event for companies interested in working with the Office for National Statistics (ONS) to help the digitally disconnected take part in the 2021 Census online.

This event will be held at the Holiday Inn, Reading South from 10:00 am to 4.30 pm on Wednesday 16th May. It will offer the opportunity for digital assistance suppliers on the Government Digital Services Framework to meet and explore collaboration possibilities with organisations working to improve digital inclusion.

There will be presentations from the Government Digital Service (GDS) Commissioning Manager on how the GDS Framework operates and the formation of supply chains, from the ONS Commercial Team and Public Support, the team responsible for Census Assisted Digital. You will have the opportunity to consider our proposed service delivery model, cost validation and discuss options on meeting the geographical coverage challenges of this project (which will need to be available across England and Wales).

The Assisted Digital programme for census will be extensive and so we are offering the opportunity for organisations to explore possibilities for effective collaboration at this event. There will be plenty of time set aside for discussion and questions.

It promises to be a fascinating and productive day and a great opportunity for digital inclusion companies to have a role in shaping our country's future. The project reference number and title on our In-Tend Sourcing portal is PU-18-0400 and title is Census Assisted Digital Service.

Emails received by ONS after the Deadline may not be considered. Also include the name of your organisation (in the title of your E Mail) with the following information: • Confirmation of attending • Company name. • Name of individual and job title (lead contact). • Email address. • Contact address and telephone number.

Additional information: Our need for assistance for those who are willing but unable to do a digital census is simple. We need face-to-face help, suitable venues where this can take place, internet-enabled technology, and a flexible approach - the help will range from answering a simple query to hands-on guidance through the online census questions.

We have no need for digital training. We're still finding out where we are most likely to need to offer digital assistance.

Our aim is to be able to do this in every neighbourhood in England and Wales. With your help, we can.

We hope you are as excited about this opportunity as we are about sharing it with you. If you have any questions about the event, please contact Amy Thorne (amy.thorne@ons.gov.uk) and we will be happy to help you.