EALING ADULT SOCIAL CARE & ECIRS020 8825 8000
Main number for adults, children and families. Ask for a reference when reporting.
SOCIAL CARE IN EALING
What help, who it is for and where to ask
Needs assessments, help at home, carers, children, transition, costs and safeguarding — explained step by step.
Who needs support?
Choose a card to go straight to the right guide.
Adult or older personNeeds assessment, help at home, equipment, safety and regaining independence.Family carerCarer’s Assessment, breaks, emergency planning and support for you.Child and familyEarly help, ECIRS, safeguarding, disability and whole-family support.Young person aged 14–25Planning the move from children’s to adult services without a gap in essential support.Abuse, neglect or riskHow to report concern about an adult or child and when to call 999 immediately.Costs and Direct PaymentsFinancial assessment, contributions, personal budgets and arranging support yourself.
WHAT TO SAY ON THE PHONE
“I am asking for a needs assessment and for the current risks to be recorded”
Explain what cannot be done safely, how often, who helps now and what will happen without support. Ask for a reference and the next contact date.
All types of support
Expand a topic. Each guide explains eligibility, possible help, next steps and what to prepare.
Adult social care and needs assessmentAnyone can ask Ealing Adult Social Care for a conversation and full assessment, before the situation becomes a crisis.+
Who it is for
For an adult who may need help because of illness, age, disability, mental health or difficulty with daily life.
What support may include
- initial conversation and full Care Act assessment
- identify strengths and support needs
- a written support plan if eligible
- advice and signposting even where council-funded care is not awarded
What to do now
- Call 020 8825 8000 and ask for the Adult Social Care Advice and Referral Centre.
- Explain what has become difficult, how often and the risks without help.
- Ask for a full needs assessment and record the date, worker and reference.
- After assessment ask for the decision and support plan in an accessible format.
Help at home, reablement, equipment and adaptationsAfter illness, injury or hospital, short-term support may help restore independence, while Occupational Therapy assesses equipment and home changes.+
Who it is for
For people struggling with mobility, washing, dressing, food preparation, bathroom safety or returning home from hospital.
What support may include
- home reablement — usually up to six weeks and free of charge
- Occupational Therapy assessment
- equipment and recommendations for adaptations
- further care assessment if needs remain after reablement
What to do now
- Call 020 8825 8000 and describe the tasks that cannot be completed safely.
- If the person is in hospital, ask the discharge team to involve Adult Social Care before discharge.
- Do not buy a major adaptation before assessment if seeking council funding.
- State clearly if there is a fall risk or risk of being left without care.
Carer’s Assessment, breaks and emergency planningAn unpaid carer can request their own assessment whether or not the person they support already receives council services.+
Who it is for
For a family member, partner, friend or neighbour who regularly provides unpaid help to someone ill, older or disabled.
What support may include
- assessment of impact on health, work, education and family life
- information about respite and short breaks
- planning if the carer becomes ill or unavailable
- Carer’s Emergency Card and local support
What to do now
- Call 020 8825 8000 and specifically ask for a Carer’s Assessment for yourself.
- Include night support, supervision, calls, visits and emotional load, not only physical care.
- Ask about an emergency plan, Emergency Card and possible breaks.
- Ask for your needs to be recorded separately from the cared-for person’s needs.
Children, families and early helpECIRS is Ealing’s single point of contact for child welfare and safeguarding from before birth to age 18.+
Who it is for
For a parent, young person, relative, neighbour or professional concerned about a child’s safety, development or family situation.
What support may include
- SAFE early help for growing family difficulties
- assessment of child and family needs
- referral to the right services
- urgent response where a child may be abused or neglected
What to do now
- Call ECIRS on 020 8825 8000 or email ECIRS@ealing.gov.uk.
- Give the child’s name and age, address, parental responsibility and specific events and dates.
- Say whether the child is safe now and whether the alleged abuser has contact.
- If danger is immediate, call 999 rather than waiting for email.
Disabled child or young person with SENDSupport may bring together education, health and social care; Ealing’s Children with Disabilities Team works with ESCAN and Adult Social Care.+
Who it is for
For a child or young person whose disability or complex needs affect daily life, safety and family functioning.
What support may include
- assessment of the child and whole family situation
- short breaks and practical support subject to assessment
- coordination with education, health and the Local Offer
- preparation for adulthood
What to do now
- Contact ECIRS on 020 8825 8000 and request assessment of the child and family.
- Use the Ealing Local Offer and contact SENAS about EHCPs: 020 8825 6910, SENAS@ealing.gov.uk.
- Ask services to record who is responsible across education, health and social care.
- If the carer can no longer safely continue, state this as a current risk, not a future possibility.
Transition from children’s to adult servicesPreparation for adulthood should start early; education planning usually begins from Year 9 and adult social care eligibility requires a separate assessment.+
Who it is for
For a young person with SEND, disability or complex needs approaching 18 or changing school, placement or care team.
What support may include
- goals for housing, education, work, health and community life
- transition assessment where needs after 18 are likely
- information transfer to Adult Social Care
- continuity plan and named contact
What to do now
- Ask the Annual Review to record actions, dates and named responsible people.
- Do not assume children’s support transfers automatically; request an Adult Social Care assessment early.
- Ask for a joint children’s and adults’ meeting and written continuity plan.
- If deadlines slip or a gap is likely, write to the team manager, set out the risk and ask for an interim plan.
Paying for care, personal budgets and Direct PaymentsAdult social care is not automatically free. After a needs assessment, the council may carry out a financial assessment and set a contribution.+
Who it is for
For someone with eligible needs and families who need to understand costs and who will manage support.
What support may include
- financial assessment and written contribution calculation
- personal budget showing the value of the plan
- Direct Payments to arrange agreed support
- information about services that are free or excluded from charging
What to do now
- Request a needs assessment first; finances should not replace that assessment.
- Provide requested financial evidence and ask for a written calculation.
- Ask which elements are free; reablement is usually funded for up to six weeks.
- If the amount or allowed expenses are wrong, ask for an explanation and review.
Safeguarding adults and childrenReport abuse, financial exploitation, neglect, coercion, sexual abuse or a situation where someone cannot protect themselves without help.+
Who it is for
For a person at risk, relative, neighbour, carer or worker who has seen something concerning.
What support may include
- 999 response where life is at risk
- safeguarding referral to Ealing Council
- protective action and coordination with police or health
- Emergency Duty Team support out of hours
What to do now
- Immediate danger or crime in progress: call 999.
- Concern about an adult or child: 020 8825 8000.
- Out of hours: 020 8825 8000 or 020 8825 5000 and ask for the Emergency Duty Team.
- Record facts, dates, injuries, witnesses and the person’s words; do not confront the alleged abuser if this increases risk.
When there is no response or you disagreeAsk for the decision and reasons in writing, explain the safety impact and use the formal complaints process if the issue remains unresolved.+
Who it is for
For someone facing a delayed assessment, inadequate plan, sudden end to support or unanswered contact.
What support may include
- review of decision or plan
- formal Adult Social Care or Children’s Services complaint
- independent advocacy where required
- Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman after the council process
What to do now
- Send a concise summary of what you requested, when, what is missing and the resulting risk.
- Ask for the manager, response date and an interim solution where waiting is unsafe.
- If unresolved, make a formal complaint through Ealing Council’s official form.
- Keep emails, decisions, plans, call notes and reference numbers.
Key numbers and addresses
Adult Social CareAdult assessments, OT, reablement, carers
ECIRSChildren, families, early help and safeguarding
Family Information ServiceChildcare, activities and family services
SENASEHCPs and special educational needs
Public and verified information
This guide uses public Ealing Council and NHS information. It is not an eligibility decision. Numbers and hours can change, so check the linked source before important travel. Information checked 2 August 2026.
Need a doctor, hospital or dentist?