Huge Response to Ealing Children's Centres Petition
Asking council to reconsider cuts which it says will halve provision
The South Acton Children's Centre.
September 30, 2024
A petition asking Ealing Council to reconsider planned cuts to children’s centres in the borough has received a large number of signatures in just a few days.
Started by local resident Emily Saunders, it has been backed by over 700 people at the time of writing against its target of 1,000 having only been set up last Friday (20 September).
She says she was prompted to start the petition as she had personally benefitted from the comprehensive services offered by Ealing's children's centres which include midwifery and health visits, alongside community stay and play/dance activities aimed at 0-5 year olds.
It is claimed that the cuts or ‘repurposing’, which could see 11 of the centres shut, will mean that provision will be cut by half across the borough.
The council is proposing to concentrate services in fewer centres but opponents say that this will reduce accessibility for those that don’t drive and booking activities will become more difficult.
Among those supporting the petition is comedian Shappi Khorsandi who brought up her children in the borough and used the centres. She posted on X, “So damaging to our community, will isolate the most vulnerable. The Log Cabin was invaluable to me when my girl was tiny. It's on the list.”
Another of the signatories Anju Sharma said, “I’ve worked as a GP in Ealing. I’m also a parent of 2 primary school aged children in Ealing. These Children’s centres provide a crucial lifeline, reason to connect with others, belonging to a community and so much support in those early years. Removing these will widen the gap between those that can afford alternative options with those that rely on children’s centres.”
Emily Saunders says, “This drastic measure will leave many families in Ealing struggling to access vital physical, mental, and social healthcare for their young children.
“This proposed 'repurposing' of our children's centres will isolate some of the most vulnerable members of our community. It will disproportionately affect families who rely on these localised services, particularly during early parenthood.
“It’s therefore crucial to keep these facilities as they are for current and future generations of Ealing’s children.”
The petition calls on Ealing Council to reconsider these proposals and explore ‘less disruptive’ options and carry out a financial review which would preserve and extend the current offer.
The council admitted when setting this year’s budget that the forecast was ‘bleak’ with local authorities across the country being asked to do more with funding being cut in real terms. £20.6m was allocated to children’s social care but it is understood that much of this has been taken up by services to older children.
An Ealing Council spokesperson said,“There are no plans to close children’s centres.
“Our early help offer provides support to children, young people and families before problems and concerns become complex and more challenging for everyone involved. We will continue to provide this support to families through our children’s centres.
“For families to thrive, they need to be able to access the universal and specialist support and services they need; when they need them and where they need them.
“To ensure all families can do this, particularly those who have been previously underserved, we will be having conversations with everyone involved to ensure that by shaping our early help offer collaboratively, we increase the percentage of families registered with children's centres, and collectively support our families."
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