A grassroots group of concerned parents and residents has launched a crowdfunding campaign to support a legal challenge against Ealing Council’s decision to cut and restructure several children’s centres across the borough — with Southall expected to be one of the hardest-hit areas.

The group, Save Ealing Children’s Centres (SECC), warns that the changes could result in the closure or downgrade of up to 16 centres, removing vital services for families — particularly in communities like Southall, where demand is high and support needs are complex.

"We are incredibly concerned about the impact these cuts will have on vulnerable families across Ealing,” said a spokesperson for the campaign. “Children’s centres offer vital early years support, and reducing access to these services will have long-term consequences."

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What’s Changing in Southall?

Several key children’s centres in Southall — including Havelock, Allenby, and Dormers Wells — are facing major reductions or reclassification under Ealing Council’s proposed restructuring. Core services that local families depend on, such as health visitor appointments, breastfeeding clinics, early speech and language support, and stay-and-play sessions, are likely to be either scaled back or moved to fewer centralised locations.

As one of the most densely populated and socioeconomically diverse areas in the borough, Southall has some of the highest levels of need for early years support.

Save Ealing Children’s Centres (SECC) warns that these cuts will hit Southall’s low-income, ethnically diverse, and migrant communities the hardest, exacerbating existing inequalities in access to early years care and support.

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Legal Action as a Last Resort

After a year of campaigning, public petitions, and attending council meetings, the group has now instructed legal counsel to prepare a judicial review against the council’s decision. The claim is based on:

• Alleged flaws in the consultation process
• Insufficient equalities impact assessment
• Potential breach of statutory duties under the Childcare Act 2006

"We believe the council has failed to properly consider the impact on families who rely most on these centres,"the group stated on its fundraising page. "This legal challenge is a last resort, but we owe it to our children and community to fight for what’s right."

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Crowdfunding the Legal Fight

The campaign has launched a public crowdfunding appeal to cover legal fees, including solicitor and barrister costs. Within days, the campaign has gained support from parents and educators in Southall and beyond.

"We are not giving up," said one parent involved in the campaign. "These centres are more than just buildings — they are lifelines for families."

With just 7 days remaining, the Save Ealing Children’s Centres campaign has raised £6,375 from 73 pledges, moving closer to its £7,000 stretch goal. The funds support a legal challenge against cuts to vital children's services. Supporters are urged to keep sharing and donating.

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Council’s Response

Ealing Council has stated that the restructuring is needed due to budget pressures and a desire to better target services. They claim that support will continue in a "redesigned" form, with resources focused on those deemed most in need. However, campaigners say this approach leaves entire communities like Southall behind.

How to Help

The Save Ealing Children’s Centres group is calling on the public to:

• Donate to the legal fund via their official crowdfunding page
• Share the campaign on social media
• Write to councillors and MPs urging them to reconsider the cuts
• Join local protests and public meetings

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"This isn’t just about buildings — it’s about our children’s futures," said another supporter. "The first five years of life are critical. Taking away support now means paying the price later."

Further Information

- Campaign group: Save Ealing Children’s Centres
- Crowdfunding link: Donate Here
- Social media: @SaveEalingCC (Facebook / Twitter / Instagram)