A political row has broken out over council funding linked to a Northfields charity supporting children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
The dispute centres on discussions within Labour-run Ealing Council about funding for an after-school activity run by the Log Cabin Charity, which provides specialist care and short-break services for children with additional needs.
Based in Northfields, the charity offers after-school clubs, weekend activities and holiday schemes for children with SEND, many of whom have Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs). The services are designed to provide respite for families while offering activities and specialist support for children.
Ealing Liberal Democrats say the organisation faced a potential threat after Ealing Council officers discussed ending referrals to one of its after-school clubs — a move they argue could have placed a significant source of funding at risk.
According to the Lib Dems, the charity was informed during a Microsoft Teams meeting last month (27 February 2026) that referrals to its after-school club might be withdrawn. The Liberal Democrats said the loss of council-funded referrals could have threatened the charity’s financial stability and the jobs of its specialist staff.
The issue was raised at a meeting of Ealing Council last week (3 March 2026), when Liberal Democrat Councillor Jonathan Oxley tabled an urgent question asking the council to withdraw the proposed change and consult with parents and the charity.
Councillor Oxley, the party’s spokesperson for children’s services, said the organisation provides an essential service for children with complex needs and their families.
He said: “The Log Cabin is a critical resource for children with complex educational needs and the Liberal Democrats acted immediately in response to the threat facing it from the council’s decision to withdraw funding with just one month’s notice.
“Labour-run Ealing Council immediately backed down, saying it was not aware of the actions of council officers, but questions remain over why this decision was taken in the first place and why the administration appeared not to have a grip on what officers were doing.
“I am delighted that this essential service has been saved and it shows the positive impact Lib Dem councillors can make.”
However, Ealing Council rejected suggestions that the charity itself had been at risk of closing.
A council spokesperson said the authority had not proposed shutting the organisation and that it continued to operate all of its services.
The spokesperson told EALING.NEWS: “Ealing Council has not proposed the closure of the Log Cabin Charity, at any stage, and the organisation continues to operate its full range of services.”
They said the discussions had related only to council funding for one specific after-school activity for a particular group of children.
The spokesperson added: “There was a proposal under consideration relating solely to council funding for one of the after-school activities for a specific group of children. After further consideration, the council has decided not to progress with this proposal.
“Throughout, the after-school club itself was not going to close and children who attend would have continued to do so through other means.”
The council also disputed claims that referrals had been halted with one month’s notice.
The spokesperson said: “It is incorrect to suggest referrals were ‘ceased with one month’s notice’. Initial internal discussions explored change to the end of term, which would have given at least six weeks’ notice.
“The Log Cabin requested 23 July, the end of the school year. At no stage was any immediate change proposed.”
The council said discussions had focused only on funding for a single activity and not on the charity’s wider work.
The spokesperson added: “Other services provided by the Log Cabin on behalf of the council, including holiday schemes, were never part of these discussions.”
They said the authority regularly reviews the services it commissions to ensure support continues to meet the needs of children with SEND.
The spokesperson said: “We remain committed to working closely with families, the Log Cabin and local service providers, which are highly valued, to ensure our short breaks and SEND provision continue to meet the needs of our community.”
.){kind=link}