More and more often, residents and community groups are now working alongside Ealing Council’s teams to design services to make sure they are fair, transparent and informed by the people who use them.
This is a shift powered by a new Community Charter for the borough, which the council adopted last year. The charter sets clear expectations for open conversations, accessible information, transparent decisions, and a commitment to involve under-represented voices.
Putting residents in charge
After hearing from thousands of residents, the independent Ealing Race Equality Commission (EREC) reported to the council in 2022 with proposals to address the impact of local inequalities. The commission set out priority areas for change covering education, health, participation and democracy, policing, income and employment, and housing.
To ensure accountability, the council created a Citizens’ Tribunal, an independent group of residents who challenge the council, police and NHS on progress. The tribunal first met in 2023 and holds public meetings on topics such as education, health and policing, providing a transparent forum where organisations are held to account about what they have done to tackle inequality.
Interested in holding the council to account? The Citizens’ Tribunal is looking for new members – register your interest by 6 March.
A Borough of Sanctuary
People fleeing conflict are finding safety, stability and support in the borough – from English classes to housing advice, and help accessing school places, health care and employment. This practical help is why the borough is proud to be recognised as an official Borough of Sanctuary – a welcoming and safe place for people fleeing war and persecution.
The borough is home to one of London’s largest Ukrainian communities. Through Homes for Ukraine, the Welcome Centre in Greenford, and work with BRIDGE for Ukrainians, families arriving in the borough can rebuild their lives with dignity, stability and connection.
Excellent support in our schools
More than 30 schools across the borough were recently recognised by the Secretary of State for Education for their exceptional work supporting disadvantaged pupils.
Parents leading change
Meanwhile, the Parents’ Action and Resource Centre (PARC) was another initiative developed in response to the Race Equality Commission recommendations. It supports parents of black and dual heritage pupils with advice, workshops and advocacy, helping families navigate the education system and strengthening home–school relationships. By empowering parents to participate confidently, PARC makes sure that more children receive the support they need to succeed.
Roots & Wings
The Roots & Wings programme is a community-led response to the EREC’s call for targeted action on health inequalities. Backed by the council, NHS partners, the Ealing and Hounslow Community Voluntary Service (EHCVS) and Voices of Colour, it supports black African and Caribbean organisations to run projects that promote health and wellbeing in their communities.
Safe and inclusive housing
The council has signed the national HouseProud Pledge, a national initiative developed with LGBTQ+ residents to make sure housing services are safe, inclusive and responsive. The pledge commits the council to involving LGBTQ+ residents in decision making, improving visibility across housing services and providing greater staff training.
The council is developing new ways for LGBTQ+ tenants to get involved, and reviewing policies to make sure they reflect people’s lived experience.
Shaping adult social care
Reinstated disabled parking bays in a town centre is just one result of an approach that brings people with lived experience into making decisions.
Partnership boards bring the council together with residents, carers, community organisations, and NHS partners to improve adult social care.
The approach is already driving real change. In 2025, feedback from residents led to the reinstated bays in Acton. It also resulted in a new access group to improve access to public buildings and amenities, including for autistic people and those with learning disabilities. Board members also helped to put together the borough’s Carers Strategy 2024–29, and are now working on the council’s Kerbside Strategy 2026, to help make sure accessibility is built into future street design.
Find out more about the partnership boards.
Helping people into work
The council has exceeded its goals to help residents into good jobs and apprenticeships. Since 2022, the borough has created more than 2,200 apprenticeships, with more than 850 residents taking them up. Support for people facing multiple barriers – including care leavers, disabled residents and those unemployed long-term – has helped more than 7,000 people move into work, gain qualifications or progress into further training.
Through Learn Ealing, thousands more have gained digital, language and sector-specific skills. Employers can now receive direct support from the council to offer work experience placements for young people, with safeguarding, co-ordination and administration handled on their behalf – making it easier for businesses to open doors for the next generation.
