Ukraine- support for families

Children’s centres

Ealing has 25 children's centres all over the borough that offer activities such as stay and play’s as well as support services and staff who are on hand to provide information, advice and guidance. Get in touch with your local children centre to find out more:

Children's Centres |  Ealing Directory (ealingfamiliesdirectory.org.uk) 

Early Education and Childcare

You can get help towards childcare depending on your circumstances: 

• If you have a child aged three or four, they can get 15 hours a week of free childcare / early education regardless of the family’s income or residency status. Your child would be entitled to this free place starting from the new term after their third birthday
  
• Extra free childcare if you are working and your child is aged 3 and 4
• Free childcare if your child is 2 and you are on a very low income.

Information on the different types of funding for childcare can be found here Childcare Options |  Ealing Directory (ealingfamiliesdirectory.org.uk) 

You can search for childcare on our Ealing Childcare Directory 

If you would like any support finding childcare, or to see if you are eligible for funding, contact Ealing Family Information Service on 020 8225 5588 or email children@ealing.gov.uk

Finding a school

You can apply for a school place for your child online by visiting:

School admissions | Ealing Council

You can contact the school admissions team if you need help:

020 8825 5511 (primary school)

020 8825 5522 (high school)

Opening hours: 9am-12pm

A summary of information on finding Early Education (childcare) and a school place can also be accessed in Ukrainian on the Gov website :  How do families arriving from Ukraine apply for a school place and childcare- Ukrainian and English (external link)

Visiting a doctor/GP

Everyone has a right to register with a GP (General practitioner) and you do not need proof of address, immigration status, ID or an NHS number (you may be asked to provide ID but it is not a requirement). Your GP can treat many conditions and give health advice. They can also refer you to other NHS services, including mental health.

To find your nearest GP service and for more information please see www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/gps/how-to-register-with-a-gp-surgery

Urgent/emergency care

For information on what to do if you cannot see a GP, or if it is an emergency visit: Urgent and emergency care services - NHS (www.nhs.uk)

Mental Health Support

For information on mental health services that can support you and your child/young person, please see our pages below. 

• Mental health support and resources for young people |  Ealing Directory (ealingfamiliesdirectory.org.uk) 
• Mental health support and resources for parents and carers |  Ealing Directory (ealingfamiliesdirectory.org.uk)

Benefits 

Your local JobCentre Plus will be able to help you find out which benefits you may be able to access.

You can find your local job centre here Contact Jobcentre Plus: How to contact Jobcentre Plus - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

This may include:

• Universal Credit – a payment for those of working age, to help with your living costs if you’re on a low income. You could be working (including self[1]employed or part time) or be out of work;
• Pension Credit - extra money to help with your living costs if you are over the age of 66 and on a low income. Applications for Pensions is online or via telephone
• Disability benefits – extra money to help with additional costs if you have a long term physical or mental health condition or disability
• Carer’s Allowance – extra money if you care for someone at least 35 hours a week.
• Child Benefit – extra money to help with the cost of raising a child. A link to the different types of benefits you could receive can be found here : Browse: Benefits - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Universal Credit

Universal Credit is a payment to help with living costs which is paid monthly. It has replaced Child Tax Credit, Housing Benefit, Income Support, Job Seekers Allowance and Workers Tax Credit.

You can apply for Universal Credit online. You will need to provide banking details, an email address, housing information, financial details and childcare costs. The Universal Credit team might phone you after you’ve sent your application if they need more information or if you cannot verify your identity online.

Check eligiblity and apply

Need help applying?

If you need help applying for universal credit, Citizens Advice Service have a help to claim service which you can use.

www.citizensadvice.org.uk/helptoclaim   

You can also get in touch on the Citizens Advice free help to claim phone service : 

You can contact an adviser through our free national Help to Claim phone service:

Tel: 0800 144 8 444

England textphone: 18001 0800 144 8 444

Advisers are available 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. 

More information on available benefits and how to apply can be found on the Gov.uk Understanding Universal Credit site, which have a dedicated page for Ukraine.  Understanding Universal Credit 

Ealing Foodbank 

If you need support with accessing food supplies you can be referred to Ealing Food Bank. Referrals can be made by:

• your job centre worker
• social worker
•  local welfare assistance team
• or other professional you are working with. 

If you do not have a professional that you are working with, you can contact the Ealing Family Information Service who can make a referral on your behalf.

Tel: 020 8825 5588

Email: children@ealing.gov.uk 

As you won't be able to physically collect a voucher - a voucher code will be issued to you by the person making the referral.

Once you have your voucher code, you can drop in to collect your food parcel. If you are unable to collect it in person, you can nominate a named person to collect it for you. 

To read more about Ealing Food Bank, as well as other organisations that offer support with food, visit  Food Banks, Food Distribution Services & Food Bank Collections |  Ealing Directory (ealingfamiliesdirectory.org.uk)

Clothes

If you are in the Ealing borough and find yourself in financial difficulty, struggling to afford the items you need for your baby then you can get in touch with the Baby Bank at Ealing Salvation Army.

Email address: ealing@salvationarmy.org.uk

Tel:  020 8840 0348

For more information visit Ealing | The Salvation Army

Work Ealing 

Work Ealing provide information on careers advice, recruitment guidance training courses and more.

Advisors are available to speak to via phone or email: 

To book an appointment you can contact the service Contact - Ealing portal (workealing.com) or phone 020 8825 8486

Visit their website: Ealing portal (workealing.com)

Learn Ealing

The council’s adult learning service offer various courses, including those which can provide Employability skills

Visit Learn Ealing

The Skills Tool Kit 

The Skills Toolkit is a new government website, which provides to free digital and numeracy courses. Visit theskillstoolkit.campaign.gov.uk

Jobhelp is a new website from Jobcentre Plus to help people looking for work. Visit jobhelp.dwp.gov.uk

The National Careers Service

Offers free and impartial information, advice and guidance to help you with your decisions about careers, courses and work. Use its career tools to explore careers, find out about your own skills, find a course or get advice about getting a job.

Visit: nationalcareers.service.gov.uk

Ealing's Holiday Activities and Food Programme 

If you are a Ukrainian refugee, your child is eligible to access FREE holiday provision as part of Ealing’s Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme. 

For more information on the HAF programme and activities on offer visit Ealing Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme |  Ealing Directory (ealingfamiliesdirectory.org.uk). The page can be translated using the google translate on the top right hand side of the page. 

You can get in touch with the HAF team by emailing HAF@ealing.gov.uk 

For more activities, you can visit our directory Activities - Search Results |  Ealing Directory (ealingfamiliesdirectory.org.uk)

The below services offer to support to families in Ealing with SEND. They also offer online sessions and workshops covering various topics, such as parent/carer support. 

Contact Ealing

Contact Ealing can offer support with providing information around your child’s condition, benefit entitlements and also signpost to other organisations that can help.  As well as information, Contact also provide guidance and support with filling out forms such as PIP and DLA.  Contact run regular workshops and classes on topics that can benefit parents living within the borough, as well as parent support group meetings and condition specific groups for support and the opportunity for parents and carers to meet.  

Email: ealing@contact.org.uk

Website: https://contact.org.uk/

Visit Contact Ealing's Facebook for updates  Contact Ealing | Facebook 

Ealing Mencap 

Ealing Mencap are a learning disability organisation in Ealing that campaigns for people's rights, creates opportunities, showcases our customers' talents and skills, breaks down barriers, overcomes isolation and changes lives.  Ealing Mencap offer a range of opportunities and services for people with learning disabilities as well as their carers and families. 

Ealing Mencap have also launched LIFELINE, a help line offering support, guidance and someone to talk to during these confusing difficult times. 

LIFELINE is available to anyone in Ealing with learning disabilities, Autism or physical disabilities, as well as their families/carers. 

Tel: 020 8566 9575 

Website: Ealing Mencap - Support us in changing lives for the better

Ealiing Anchor Foundation (formerly known as P.E.S.T.S Parents of Ealing Self Help Training Scheme) 

Ealing Anchor Foundation offers a welcome place for parents and carers of children aged 0-5 with a disability, additional or complex need in Ealing. Ealing Anchor Foundation offer advice, support, information and training workshops for parents and carers in a friendly and nurturing setting. 

Tel: 020 8571 9954

E-mail: info@ealinganchor.org.uk

Visit Ealing Anchor Foundation on Facebook for updates Ealing Anchor Foundation | Facebook

Ealing Impartial Support, Advice & Information on Disability & Special Educational Needs (ISAID) 

ISAID is part of national charity Family Action which has for over 150 years transformed lives by providing practical, emotional and financial support to those who are experiencing poverty, disadvantage and social isolation. Ealing ISAID works with children and young people 0-25 with SEND and also with their parents and carers. ISAID supports with:

• EHCP process, annual reviews, transport appeals.
• School transition and SEN support
• Help with tribunals and other legal processes. 
• Support and advice for young people.
• Caseworker support as part of the Ealing Advice Service for children and young people with complex education, health and social care needs.
• Sessions to help parents, carers and professionals understand SEND procedures and the law.

Tel: 020 3978 8989

Email: isaidealing@family-action.org.uk

Website: www.ealing-isaid.org.uk

Ealing Parent & Carer Forum 

Representative group of over 1000 parents/carers of children and young people with SEND in Ealing.

• Regular information events such as coffee mornings to keep you updated.
• Have a local voice that’s heard by the Council and other key organisations.
• FREE membership (no need to be a member to access workshops).

Email: info@epcf.org.uk

Visit: www.epcf.org.uk 

Other useful resources

Communication boards in multiple languages to support refugees from Ukraine in need of a quick way to communicate basic needs, feelings and medical information: Ukraine Refugee Communication Boards (external link) 

The following websites are also useful in helping parents and carers support their children:

• Childnet: Supporting your child if they see upsetting content online about what is happening in Ukraine
• The British Psychological Society - Supporting children to manage anxiety over war, conflict and crises