Following announcement that Council proposes to cut services

There has been an angry reaction following the announcement that Ealing Council is planning to cut crucial children's services.

A petition has been set up by users of West Twyford Children's Centre in the Hanger Hill ward.

The centre supports families with children aged 0 – 5 years and is earmarked for closure as part of the authorities cost cutting and 'streamlining' measures.

The petition reads:

Ealing Council is currently consulting on a proposal to close West Twyford Children's Centre, as part of a borough wide strategy to make budget savings. The community of West Twyford needs this vital service and we cannot afford to lose it. This area has very poor access to health services and there is little in the way of shops, cafes, and community provision.

The Children's Centre is very popular locally and provides Stay and Play sessions for young families as well as English classes and parenting courses. Our Children's Centre brings together a wide range of services and support which families of young children need, reducing feelings of isolation and enabling children to enjoy and achieve. It helps to reduce child poverty and helps parents to access work and training opportunities.

We know that children who have regularly attended the Children's Centre make a flying start to school life. They will be happy and confident and any additional needs will have been quickly identified and addressed. Please join us in asking Ealing Council to reconsider this detrimental step and to support West Twyford families to give their children the best start in life.

A Ealing Council spokesperson said: ''Under the current proposals, Ealing will continue to have seven main children centres and nine linked children centres as we have now. The service offer in the remaining 11 linked children’s centres may need to be significantly re-organised to meet the current budget constraints; and this means that some centres may have reduced services or have to close. 

''In the council’s proposed Children’s Centres Strategy 2019-2022, West Twyford Children’s Centres is included within the 11 linked centres that may need to be re-organised. Centres were identified to be included for re-organisation, based on usage and location including the level of disadvantage with an aim to maintain access for families across the borough.

''A 12 week public consultation on this strategy will be held from the 18th February to 13th May 2019 to ensure that all those who may be affected by this proposal can have their say. Any decisions made by the Council regarding these proposals will take into account the response to the consultation.

''There will be opportunities to come to consultation meetings at your local children’s centre, complete an online or printed survey and put forward your ideas for the future of Ealing’s children’s centres in this challenging financial climate.”

January 24, 2019 ( updated 25/01)