We do our best to make sure that our website is accessible to everyone. Our website works on PCs, smartphones and tablets. We aim to provide a quick, easy and convenient way to find information, report something, pay a bill or apply for a service. You can visit us online 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at a time and in a place to suit you.
You can read more about our online services and how to use them on this webpage.
This webpage tells you about our online services and how to get support to use them if you need it. Please contact us to ask for help, or for information in a different format.
Online forms
Our online forms make it easy and convenient for you to access our services. They allow you to interact with us 24/7, whatever time suits you.
You can use the shortcuts on our homepage to:
Forms are also included on relevant pages throughout our website. Please contact us if you need help to fill in an online form.
Council Tax, benefits and business rates forms
You need to complete the relevant online form to apply for benefits, discounts or exemptions. Our Electronic Claims Policy tells you how we use these.
When you've filled in the form you'll be asked to check and agree the information you've provided. You do this in the form by ticking a box before you submit it to us. This is your electronic signature to confirm that the information you've given to us is correct. We have a legal document to allow us to use electronic signatures called a Direction on Electronic Communications.
Customer accounts
To access some of our services online you'll need to sign up for an account. Read more about how to create an account and what's involved. If you want to know more about the information that we store about you, please read our privacy policy.
List of our websites
The Barnsley Council website is our main website.
We're also responsible for several more websites and some of these are provided by other organisations on our behalf.
You can see a full list of our websites and their purpose here.
Using access keys on our website
Using just your keyboard it's possible to jump between sections of our website to get around. First, you'll need to find your access key(s). These can differ depending on the web browser and operating system you're using as follows:
| Web browser | Windows | Linux | Mac |
| Chrome | Alt | Alt | Ctrl+ Opt |
| Firefox | Alt + Shift | Alt+ Shift | Ctrl |
| Internet Explorer | Alt | N/A | N/A |
| Microsoft Edge | Alt | N/A | Ctrl |
| Opera | Shift + Esc | Shift + Esc | Ctrl |
| Safari | N/A | N/A | Ctrl |
If you hold down and press your access key and the letters or numbers below, you'll be able to use the following features:
| Key | Location |
| S | Skip the navigation by automatically scrolling any web page to where the page content starts, ie scroll passed the branding at the top of our pages. |
| 1 | Return to the home page on our website at any time. |
| 2 | Go straight to the page on our website that shows the latest news items. |
| 3 | Go straight to the page on our website that shows our sitemap, ie the contents page. |
| 4 | Places your cursor in the search box at the top of our page so that you begin typing your search criteria. Pressing enter will then initiate a search. |
| 5 | Go straight to the page of our website that shows the most frequently asked questions that we receive. This access key is currently disabled as we haven't yet gathered the list of questions and answers that we need to publish. |
| 6 | Go straight to the page on our website that gives you practical help and guidance about how to use it. |
| 7 | Go straight to the page on our website that allows you to submit complaints, compliments or suggestions. |
| 8 | Go straight to the page on our website that provides the terms and conditions for using it. |
Check the accessibility features on your device
Making some changes to your device or web browser can make them easier to use.
AbilityNet is a website that has free fact sheets that you can download, such as step-by-step guides to setting up your computer and software.
- The vision guide explains how to change the way your device or web browser works to make it easier to see. It tells you how to change text size, background colours, or make your computer speak to you.
- The hearing guide tells you how your computer, mobile or tablet can be made easier to use if you have a hearing impairment.
- The motor guide gives tips to make your keyboard, mouse or mobile device easier to use.
- The cognitive guide tells you how to make reading, writing and using the internet easier on your computer, mobile or tablet, including changing text, making your device talk to you and talking to your device.
JavaScript
Some of our digital services need JavaScript technology to work. If you're using screen readers, or special pointing devices other than a mouse, you may not be able to use JavaScript.
We try to avoid using systems that need JavaScript. Sometimes we rely on third party products that do use JavaScript. Where we do, we'll give you the option to access services offline by giving you contact details for the service or for our contact centre.
Help to get online
There's lots of support available to help you get online - from digital sessions in our libraries to training courses where you can gain a qualification.
Find out about the ways you can improve your digital skills.
Free computers and wi-fi in libraries
All of our libraries have free computers that you can use for up to two hours a day. They also offer free wifi and there's help available to connect your own device if you're wanting to get online. Staff are on hand to show you how to use our website, fill in forms and download the latest eBooks.
Adult skills training courses
Our Adult Skills and Community Learning service offers a wide variety of IT courses, catering for complete beginners through to more advanced learners. Some of the courses are free, or available at a reduced fee if you receive certain benefits. See the full IT and digital skills course listings.
Website accessibility statement
We've published the following webpages to tell you more about how accessible our website is, and how we comply with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.1 AA standard:
- Accessibility statement for Barnsley Council website
- Accessible documents policy for Barnsley Council website
Tell us what you think
We're constantly checking and improving our online information to make sure it's accessible.
Contact us if you want to give us feedback about the website or suggestions to improve it.
Tell us if you can't find what you you're looking for or you need help to fill in a form or set up an account.