If you are worried about a child's development or wellbeing there are a number of qualified professionals who can help you access assisstance across the London borough of Ealing.
For safety and wellbeing
If you have a concern about the safety of your child or any other child you should contact Ealing Children’s Integrated Response Service (ECIRS) on 020 8825 8000, or email ecirs@ealing.gov.uk – the team are available weekdays 9am – 5pm and 24 hours a day.
For additional needs and disability
If you think your child may have a disability or additional need, or if you are concerned about their development, then you should discuss this with your GP in the first instance or with a health visitor or the school nurse.
For an official diagnosis you should visit your GP. If your GP cannot identify your child’s needs you may be referred to a more specialised unit – health professionals, such as an Early Start Health Visitor, can also refer your child to a specialist.
If you wish to talk to someone at the council about your child’s additional needs you should contact Ealing Service for Children with Additional Needs (ESCAN).
ESCAN is a multi-agency service run by the NHS and Ealing Council that acts as a single point of contact for information, referrals, assessments and appropriate help for children and young people with disabilities living the borough.
ESCAN is based at Carmelita House near Ealing Broadway station. The building offers access to services and facilities such as treatment rooms and resources such as the patient information room with internet access.
Referrals to ESCAN normally come through GPs, health visitors, the NHS or SEN workers in schools. However, access and eligibility to these services vary – you will need to contact ESCAN directly if you would like to know how to refer children to your chosen service.
To contact ESCAN please call 020 8825 8700.
ESCAN is made up of the following services:
Children and Families Social Care
Education – Special Educational Needs and Inclusion
- Educational Psychology
- SENS – Specialist Teaching for Children and Young People with Sensory Impairments
- EHC Assessment
- SEN Travel Assistance
- SEN Finance
Specialist Child Health Services
- Paediatric Occupational Therapy
- Paediatric Physiotherapy
- Paediatric Speech and Language Therapy
- Child Development Team (includes Specialist Health Visitors and Dieticians)
- Clinical Psychology
- Audiology