Ealing's Supportive Action for Families in Ealing (SAFE) teams are demonstrating positive outcomes through their early intervention strategies. A recent report, discussed at the Ealing Council's Children's Services Scrutiny Panel on 2 October 2025, indicates a notable decrease in the number of children requiring escalation from early help services to statutory interventions.
The report underscores the effectiveness of early intervention, a key component of Ealing's early help provision. SAFE delivers targeted, multi-disciplinary support to children, young people (0–18), and their families, aiming to prevent the escalation of needs and reduce the risk of children entering care. The service collaborates with families to identify their needs and connect them with appropriate services. The integrated team comprises family practitioners, social workers, youth workers, counsellors, domestic abuse workers, parenting practitioners, and mental health practitioners.
Between April 2024 and March 2025, SAFE received 1543 referrals, a 3% increase from the previous year, according to the report on Children at risk of coming into care, role of LBE SAFE teams and Early Intervention [https://ealing.moderngov.co.uk/documents/s21385/Children%20at%20risk%20of%20coming%20into%20care%20role%20of%20LBE%20SAFE%20teams%20and%20Early%20Intervention.pdf]. Step-downs from statutory services into early help (SAFE) rose from 182 (12%) to 203 (13%), suggesting more families are receiving earlier support and avoiding escalation. Conversely, step-ups from early help (SAFE) to statutory services dropped significantly from 129 in 2023/24 to 71 in 2024/25, indicating successful early intervention.
Notably, referrals from schools and education services increased from 23% to 26%. The report suggests this rise may reflect improved awareness and engagement with Early Help pathways in educational settings.
At the same time, health service referrals saw a slight decline. A 4% increase in agencies undertaking EHAPs (Early Help Assessment and Plan) has been noted, correlating with a decrease in referrals for targeted family support.
SAFE's integrated early help services are aligned with community resources, primarily focusing on locality-based support. These multi-agency partnerships involve health, education, voluntary and community sectors, and social care. Specific examples include EHAP Training, Early Years Strengthening Group, and Early Help workshops and roadshows. The structure involves shared assessments, coordinated support via Team Around the Family meetings, and collaborative planning for workforce development and data insight.
Helen Harding, Assistant Director Early Help & Prevention, explained that the council aims to decrease the demand for crisis services by engaging with more children and families when they first need help and support within the community, ensuring services are fairly distributed across the borough and addressing any gaps.
Initiatives to enhance early help work include:
- Moving to a model of holding family group conferences at an earlier stage, during early intervention.
- Enhancing and developing connections with the community, providing an early help presence in mainstream schools.
- Enhancing the multi-agency review of early help referrals.
- Continued focus on improving the EHAP process.
The Children's Services Scrutiny Panel met to discuss the report, along with other items including the council's response to the government's national children's social care agenda and the Families First Partnership Program [https://ealing.moderngov.co.uk/documents/s21384/Response%20to%20governments%20national%20childrens%20social%20care%20agenda%20Families%20First%20Partnership%20Program.pdf]. The panel also reviewed and agreed to the Children's Services Scrutiny Panel Work Programme for 2025-2026.