Revised plans to improve the borough’s children’s centres and Early Help services were approved at Ealing Council’s cabinet meeting last night (Wednesday 11 June).
The council has updated its initial plans for the future of the services following a consultation to get the views of residents, staff and community organisations.
In fact, more than 2,000 people got involved and helped refine the new plans, which will see services provided from 15 children’s centres. This includes 3 children’s centres that were not included in the original plans. They are:
- Jubilee Children’s Centre, in Ealing
- Petts Hill Children’s Centre, in Northolt
- Dormers Wells Children’s Centre, in Southall
The plans also include an improved offer for families with children under 5, with longer opening hours and a variety of support, including midwifery, health visiting, parenting programmes, and stay-and-play sessions. Each of the borough’s seven towns will see an increase in children’s centre activities, making it easier for families to access the help they need closer to where they live.
Lots of support
The council is also expanding its outreach programme to reach families who may not typically engage with traditional centres. Outreach sessions could take place in community spaces such as schools, libraries, GP surgeries, nurseries, and faith or community venues.
At these locations, families will be able to access learning materials, speak with an Early Help worker, and take part in selected activities like those offered in the centres. There are currently 11 outreach venues across the borough, and full details can be found on Ealing Council’s website.
The council is continuing to work closely with local partners to promote the Early Help offer, share information, and encourage more families to take up the support available. To make it easier for families to find the support they need, the webpages for children’s centres will be made more user-friendly. The digital offer for parenting workshops will also be expanded, with sessions available online to help more families access support.
Making services accessible and inclusive
Councillor Josh Blacker, the council’s cabinet member for healthy lives, said: “We’ve listened carefully to residents and made important changes in response to what we heard. This is about getting support to families earlier and in the ways that work best for them by reaching out into our communities to make services more accessible and inclusive for all.”
In addition to the 15 centres, a further 10 sites will continue to offer some Early Help services.
They will support families through high-quality childcare, services for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), and short breaks provision.
However, under the revised plans, Copley Close in Hanwell and Academy Gardens in Northolt will continue to run as nurseries. These sites haven’t been operating as full children’s centres for some time, so this change simply brings the plans in line with how the sites are already being used.
The decision is subject to a five-day call-in period, during which a scrutiny committee can request a review. Unless that happens, implementation will go ahead as planned.
The changes will be introduced in phases throughout the year. In the meantime, families can continue to access services as usual, with arrangements in place to ensure no one is left without support.
For full details of the Early Help strategy and what it means for local services and families, visit the Ealing Council website.
