Your Voice and Social Care

YVHSC co-ordinates five London Healthwatch (LHW) services, delivering day-to-day functions from gathering community views to undertaking independent research. This work shapes insight into health and social care service delivery, commissioners, providers, and community partners. Since 2013, YVHSC’s borough-level experience has expanded, influenced by local politics, sensitivities, and systems. The 2019 establishment of the HW Directorate enhanced best practice sharing.

YVHSC’s Central Services and additional Directorates: including Carers, Advocacy, SENDIASS, Volunteering and Training - provide resilience, resources, and specialist expertise that support LHW.

Strong relationships with Healthwatch England, fostered over the past 3 years, have brought enhanced training, tools, and national research involvement, including work on the Quality Framework and feedback systems.

YVHSC has led impactful community engagement, including London’s largest COVID borough study (3,000+ responses). Its representation across local boards and groups drives meaningful health and social care change, with expertise sought after for commissioned and independent research.

YVHSC Healthwatch Services

Healthwatch serves as the health and social care champion, gathering community feedback to influence NHS leaders and decision makers. As locally funded enterprises, Healthwatch organisations amplify community voice, improve care, and hold statutory powers to Enter and View services to identify strengths and areas for improvement.

YVHSC SENDIASS Services

SENDIASS provides free, impartial advice and support to families in Ealing with children and young people (up to age 25) with SEND. The service ensures families understand rights and processes, especially around Education, Health & Care Plans (EHCPs), and fosters positive outcomes with schools and authorities.

Core Support:

  • Appointments and tailored support via office, school, centre, or virtual contact.

  • Telephone, email, and 1:1 help, with responses within 48 hours.

  • Guidance on statutory assessments and SEND provision across settings.

  • Mediation and tribunal preparation.

  • Support drafting documents and reviewing EHCPs.

  • Assistance during school transitions, exclusions, and disputes.

  • Information on transport, apprenticeships, internships, and local/national support services.

  • Parent/carer and youth workshops and training sessions.

The service operates impartially, ensuring all parties are treated respectfully and fairly.

YVHSC Carers Directorate

The Carers Directorate oversees the Ealing Carers Hub and Lewisham Carers Hub, supporting carers of individuals with disabilities, health conditions, or dependencies.

Support Includes:

  • Help with Carers Assessments, welfare benefits, hardship grants, and blue-badge applications.

  • Emotional and practical support through confidential services.

  • Peer groups, arts, exercise, IT training, and complementary therapies.

Carers describe the Hubs as a lifeline, offering community, rest, and connection while recognising the challenges of caring roles.