Ealing Council's commitment to support the armed forces community has been recognised with the highest employer accreditation award from the Ministry of Defence.

The Armed Forces Covenant Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) gold award recognises employers that go above and beyond in their support for defence personnel, veterans, and their families.

Ealing Council supports the armed forces community in three key areas:

• Employing veterans and making the council an armed forces friendly employer
• Offering support to veterans and their families in key areas such as housing, education, employment, and health
• Encouraging other organisations in west London to progress their ERS accreditation.

The council first signed up to the Armed Forces Community Covenant in 2012.

A renewed Armed Forces Covenant was signed by the leader of the council, Peter Mason at Squadron base in Southall on Tuesday, 12 October 2021.

The covenant is a promise from the nation that those who serve, or have served, in the armed forces, and their families are treated fairly.

Despite holding valuable skills, veterans' unemployment rates remain about 50% higher than that of the general population. Supporting veterans in employment is a "key priority for Ealing Council as it strives to create good job opportunities in the community".

It says as a forces-friendly employer, it is committed to making its training and skills programmes accessible and relevant to veterans. In partnership with the voluntary and community sector, it aims to provide the resources and support necessary for veterans to succeed in civilian careers.

The mobile nature of military life can make it challenging for service members and their families to secure housing and school admissions.

To address this, the council has updated its housing policies to exempt armed forces personnel from residency requirements and updated school admissions policies to make it easier for forces families to secure placements.

Councillor Mason said: "Achieving the Gold Employer Recognition Scheme status reflects our long-term commitment to supporting the armed forces community.

"We have an unwavering commitment to honour and remember all those who have served and continue to serve, not just on Armed Forces Day or Remembrance Sundays, but at all times.

"This recognition underscores our dedication to employing and supporting veterans and reservists however we can, both within the council and beyond.

"But our work doesn't stop with this gold accreditation. We will continue collaborating with local armed forces and partners to provide the support our service men and women and their families need.

"On behalf of the council, thank you to our armed forces and veterans for your service and sacrifices."

To find out more about how Ealing Council is supporting members of the armed forces community, click here.

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