A new partnership is aiming to help more young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) into work.
The Ealing SEND Partnership Charter brings together employers, education providers and other organisations committed to creating more opportunities for young people with SEND, from work experience and internships to apprenticeships and paid jobs.
Ealing Council became one of the first organisations to sign the charter at an event hosted by the University of West London, which was also attended by Her Royal Highness, The Duchess of Edinburgh.
The charter was created in response to the low number of people with learning disabilities in employment. Only 2.2% of adults with learning disabilities in the borough are in work, compared with a London average of 7%.
Working alongside the Ealing SEND Network, employers who sign up can receive support to identify opportunities, match young people to suitable roles, and access job coaching where needed.
Guests at the event heard from young people who had secured employment through supported internship programmes.
They spoke about the confidence, independence and workplace skills they had gained, and the positive impact it had made to their lives.
Building on existing support
The charter builds on work already taking place across the borough to help residents with SEND find and stay in employment.
Ealing Council’s Supported Internship Programme helps young people move from education into work through job placements and tailored support.
The council is also working with the West London Alliance on Connect to Work, a free programme supporting people with disabilities, health conditions and other barriers to employment.
It helps them find suitable jobs, develop skills, access workplace adjustments and receive support to stay in work.
The programme began in 2025 and aims to support thousands of west London residents over 5 years.
Meanwhile, Mahaba Café is helping young people gain valuable workplace experience closer to home. The social enterprise provides training and employment opportunities for young people with learning disabilities and autism, and regularly runs a food and drink stall in Perceval House.
The café gives learners the chance to serve customers, build confidence and develop workplace skills in a real working environment.
Investing in local talent
Councillor Paul Driscoll, the council’s cabinet member for healthy equal lives, attended the event, and said: “The council is proud to be a founding partner of the Ealing SEND Partnership Charter and is committed to ensuring that young people with special educational needs and disabilities have every opportunity to thrive.
“Working closely with our partners, we are opening more doors, removing barriers and creating meaningful pathways into employment.
“Backing supported internships and employment opportunities is not only the right thing to do, it is an investment in local talent, our economy and the future of our community.”
The charter’s founding organisations include Ealing Council, the University of West London, West London Business, West London Chambers of Commerce, Ealing Business Club and the Ealing SEND Network.
If you are an employer and would like to find out more about the charter, email info@ealingsendnetwork.org or visit the Ealing SEND Network website.
