Ealing Council is expanding its Early Help outreach by offering sessions in community venues across the borough to improve accessibility for families who may face barriers in accessing traditional Children's Centres.

The move aims to enhance engagement and reach more families, particularly those who may experience difficulties accessing services at traditional centres. These barriers can include high levels of deprivation, language barriers, and a general high demand for support services. The initiative was discussed at the Children's Services Scrutiny Panel meeting on 25 November 2025, where councillors reviewed the Early Help Strategy and the revised Children's Centre offer.

Currently, the service delivers sessions at nine locations, including churches, libraries, schools, leisure centres and community centres. According to the Ealing's Early Help Strategy Childrens Scrutiny Report, the council is exploring additional venues in Perivale and Southall Town. Specifically, the council is considering one venue in Perivale and two in Southall Town, with the delivery plan dependent on staffing resources and service design.

When selecting community venues, the council considers locations with accessible, multi-use community spaces, such as youth service spaces (YAC), libraries, and Northolt Leisure Centre. Feedback from the Family Information Service and Children Centre Staff training day highlighted Southall, Northolt, Greenford, and Perivale as priority areas due to the specific needs of the communities.

The council also recognises the need to promote the benefits of accessing early education, particularly to priority groups who are disproportionately not achieving Good Levels of Development (GLD). To raise awareness, the council plans to increase community engagement, relationship building, and information sharing through various channels, including midwives, health visitors, and community venues.

The Early Help Strategy 2025-2028, developed in partnership with parents and residents, sets the strategic direction for improving the broader Early Help offer. The strategy was co-produced with the Early Years and Early Help Partnership Forum, which brings together services supporting families in the borough.

The council's approach is to provide a range of services, from universal to targeted support, including:

  • ECIRS (Ealing Children's Integrated Response Service) Consultation Line
  • Family Information Service
  • Early Help Assessments and Plans (EHAP)
  • Children's Centres
  • Early Start 0–19 Integrated Health Services
  • One-to-One Mentoring
  • Parenting Programmes and Workshops
  • Mental Health and Wellbeing Support
  • SAFE Targeted Family Support

The Ealing's Early Help Strategy Childrens Scrutiny Report details how families can access these services through a universal and community offer, as well as through a 'front door' access point, the ECIRS. The Family Information Service also provides guidance on local services.