An Ealing charity has welcomed a new charter aimed at improving employment opportunities for young people in the borough with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
The charter was launched by the Duchess of Edinburgh at the University of West London earlier this month.
It aims to encourage businesses in Ealing to offer opportunities to young people with SEND, including work experience placements, supported internships, apprenticeships and paid jobs.
Nik Demetriades is CEO of charity Ealing Mencap, which supports people with learning disabilities and their families.
He said: “The local employment figures are clearly concerning, but I also think the new SEND Employment Charter gives Ealing a real opportunity to change that picture.
“If we can turn the charter into practical action, with schools, colleges, employers, the council and voluntary sector working together, Ealing could become a leader in supported internships and pathways into paid work.”
The partnership brings together Ealing Council with a number of local business and community organisations to improve employment opportunities for young people with SEND.
The employment rate among people with learning disabilities in Ealing is 2.2%, compared with a London average of 7%. The total number of 18–24-year-olds in Ealing claiming unemployment benefits and required to seek work also increased by 40% between 2023 and 2025, according to Trust for London .
A spokesperson from Ealing Council said: “Young people with SEND can face a range of barriers when entering the workplace, including low expectations, inaccessible recruitment processes, concerns about disclosing their needs and, in some cases, negative attitudes from employers.”
The Ealing Mencap boss agreed that the barriers facing young people with SEND are “usually not about lack of ambition or ability”.
Demetriades said: “More often, they are about whether the right support is in place: good transition planning, accessible careers advice, travel training, job coaching, reasonable adjustments and employers who are willing to understand the person.”
Alan Rides, CEO of West London Chambers of Commerce, also outlined the need for government intervention to provide financial incentives to employ more young people.
Businesses have previously criticised increases in National Insurance and the National Living Wage, amid concerns that higher employment costs could affect the availability of entry-level jobs.
Rides said: “The Government need to lift some of the baggage they’re putting on business to allow them to flourish and grow. Then they’ll employ more people, they’ll pay more tax and everybody will be in a better place.”
The SEND Partnership Charter follows similar schemes aimed at helping young people not in education, employment or training (NEET) move into work.
Demetriades said: “Placements must be meaningful and properly supported, not simply a source of free labour. The aim should always be to build confidence, skills and a clear route towards paid employment wherever possible.”
Featured image credit: Eleanor Chapman
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