Ealing LBC with West London Alliance

Sometimes an initiative is developed and championed within Local Government which is transformatory - providing a ‘step change’ in opportunities for inclusion, diversity in the workplace and increased well-being. Supported Internships, employment-focussed skills acquisition and training programmes for young people 18-24 with Learning Disabilities or Difficulties and Special Educational Needs (SEN) is one of those initiatives, with over 65% of the interns gaining employment. Seven West London Boroughs are working in close partnership to deliver a highly successful Supported Internship Programme, which has placed over 190 YP into employment since 2015 – this is our story.

This award is open to a single council or where appropriate a partnership of councils, or a council-owned company. Private sector partners can enter on a council’s behalf, with the permission of the council itself. This award recognises strong performance by a council, with a primary focus on the relevant timescale, in developing a diverse and inclusive culture that permeates the council itself and its workforce and/or the broader local area. The entry could demonstrate the council’s attempts to foster a more diverse and inclusive workplace for all employees, and members, and describe how this is helping to attract and retain talent. It could include internal council initiatives, customer/service user-facing work, or work to promote a wide range of careers on the council to appeal to different people. The entry could alternatively focus more on the broader local area, highlighting initiatives to foster diversity and help facilitate inclusion across the local community. It could include how the council has worked with other business and other local organisations to improve opportunity or participation. It could look at engagement.