About adults' services

What services are available for adults? 

Social services works in partnership with housing services, a range of local voluntary organisations and health agencies.  These partnerships ensure that if we are unable to assist or provide a particular service it may be provided by another organisation in the private or public sector.  In addition, these connections mean that social services may be able to refer you towards a wider range of services that you might find helpful.

How to apply for a service
Please contact the social services customer contact centre on (020) 8825 8000, or complete the self-referral form (word) and email it to sscallcentre@ealing.gov.uk , or visit your nearest social services reception  point.

When you contact social services you will be asked for more information about yourself, and your needs and circumstances.  A care manager may also need to contact other people who know you well (such as your doctor).  However, they would only contact such people with your permission.  This process is called an 'assessment'.

On the basis of this assessment, a care manager will decide with you what kinds of services would best meet your needs.

If you have a carer (such as a friend or relative who looks after you) they will be offered an assessment too, to find out more about their needs and how they might best receive support. 

The Data Protection Act 1998 defines the rules for processing personal information and applies to most paper records and to computer records.

Who will be offered a service?
Unfortunately, there is a greater demand for services than social services' resources can provide, so we cannot guarantee to provide everything an individual or family asks for.  For fairness, priority is given to those assessed to be in the greatest need.

We apply fair access to care services  criteria.  In Ealing we provide services to people who fall under critical and/or substantial need. 

There is a clear set of criteria (rules) for all services, explaining who can receive them. Some of these are simple to apply.  For example, when applying for a travel permit, everyone who meets the list of criteria will receive a permit.  However, some services are more complex than this and it may not be possible to provide a service to everyone who wants one. 

As your circumstances change, your needs will be reassessed and the services offered to you may be changed, as appropriate. 

Is there a charge for services?
Not all services are free; for some services it is necessary for the user to contribute towards the cost of the service if they can afford to.  Your care manager will tell you more about this.

How to find out more
If you would like to know more about other services contact the social services contact centre on (020) 8825 8000; email sscallcentre@ealing.gov.uk

Feedback
We welcome your comments and suggestions about any of our services and how they may be improved.  The customer care unit can deal with your comments or complaints, and they can be contacted on (020) 8825 8100; email: sscallcentre@ealing.gov.uk; or write to Social Services, Perceval House, 14-16 Uxbridge Road, Ealing, London W5 2HL.