Campaigners opposing Labour-run Ealing Council’s plans to shut 10 children’s centres in the borough have taken the first formal step towards legal action, sending a “letter before claim” that could pave the way for a judicial review.
The letter, issued by public law and human rights firm Rook Irwin Sweeney, was sent on behalf of a 17-month-old claimant and the campaign group Save Ealing Children’s Centres (SECC). It challenges the council’s decision to close or “repurpose” the centres – a move that will see the claimant lose access to three local facilities – and demands a formal response by 4pm on 19 August 2025.
SECC says it was left with no choice but to pursue legal action after months of campaigning failed to persuade the council to rethink its approach. The group argues the closures will destroy a valued borough-wide network and cut staff numbers, undermining the council’s stated aim of improving its Early Help services for families.
To fund its legal challenge, Save Ealing Children’s Centres launched a crowdfunding campaign last month (July 2025) which has so far raised more than £6,000.
Speaking to EALING.NEWS, Clare Welsby, spokesperson for SECC, said: “We [SECC] feel strongly that our opposition and challenge to Ealing Council’s proposal and now their decision to close or repurpose firstly 13, and now 10 children’s centres has been validated by external legal experts in public law. This is very encouraging.”
Ms Welsby added: “We hope Ealing Council will reconsider the decision of 11 June 2025, upheld by their Scrutiny Panel on 3 July 2025. We hope they recognise the legal flaws in their consultation and decision making and that there needs to be another way and new approach to achieving their aim of improving early help – one that parents, Save Ealing Children’s Centres, supporters and partners can work with them and others to achieve.”
A “letter before claim” is a formal warning that court proceedings may follow if issues are not resolved. In the case of Save Ealing Children’s Centres, solicitors set out three grounds for legal challenge: unlawful consultation; breach of the sufficiency duty to ensure enough provision; and failure to comply with Sure Start statutory guidance or to provide adequate reasons for departing from it.
The campaign says it is prepared to enter into Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) but only if the council rescinds its June 2025 decision and commits to a fresh decision after talks. Without this, they warn, the limitation period for challenging the plans will expire. The letter asks the council to withdraw its decision and launch a new consultation that specifically considers alternatives to closure, as well as whether there would be sufficient provision if centres were to close.
Ealing Liberal Democrats councillor Jon Ball told EALING.NEWS: “Liberal Democrats believe that the closures of children’s centres is the wrong policy decision and will affect many deprived and vulnerable members of our community who rely on these localised services, leaving them isolated and struggling to access critical physical, mental and social healthcare for their children.
“For the Labour party to reduce these services for the very youngest children and families goes against all the early years evidence which shows that it is critical to giving our children the best start in life. It is sad that it requires legal action by the community to force Ealing Labour into listening to local concerns.”
If the council does not respond as requested by 19 August 2025, the claimant – whose identity is being withheld to protect their safety – will seek a judicial review.
Ms Welsby added: “We hope Ealing Council will change their minds, and a Judicial Review will not be necessary.”
Speaking to EALING.NEWS, an Ealing Council spokesperson said: “Ealing Council remains committed to improving access to our Early Help and Children’s Centre services for all families in our community. We are aware of the legal challenge that has been brought forward and will be consulting with our legal team.”
