Families of children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) across Ealing will receive enhanced advice, advocacy and practical support thanks to a £57,000 grant over three years awarded to Education Skills Development Group (ESDEG) by Middlesex Freemasons.
The funding will strengthen ESDEG’s specialist SEND programme, enabling the charity to provide enhanced support to families navigating Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) applications and reviews, school placements, mediation, specialist provision and wider education, health and social care services. The grant will also support SEND workshops, information sessions, outreach activities and parent advocacy, ensuring more families receive timely guidance before challenges escalate.
Across England, there are now more than 718,000 children and young people with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), with demand for SEND services continuing to grow each year. Many families face lengthy waiting times, complex systems and difficulties accessing the support their children are entitled to. Without early intervention and specialist guidance, these challenges can have a lasting impact on children’s education, wellbeing and future opportunities.
Every year, ESDEG supports hundreds of children and families across Ealing through SEND advice, advocacy and community engagement. The charity works closely with parents to help them understand their rights, secure appropriate educational provision and ensure their voices are heard throughout the SEND process.
Based in Ealing, Education Skills Development Group (ESDEG) has been serving local communities for more than two decades, supporting disadvantaged children, young people, adults and older people through education, advocacy and community development. Alongside its SEND programme, ESDEG delivers a wide range of initiatives including its Saturday SEND Club, Summer Enrichment Programme for children with SEND, Supplementary School, parent advocacy in schools, mental health and wellbeing programmes for adults, elderly support services and wider community projects that tackle inequalities and improve opportunities for local residents.
The organisation also works collaboratively with schools, local authorities, health professionals and community organisations to ensure families receive holistic support and are connected to the services they need. Through these partnerships, ESDEG continues to build stronger communities while helping some of Ealing’s most disadvantaged families overcome barriers to education, wellbeing and social inclusion.
The grant from Middlesex Freemasons comes through the Freemasons’ Charity, which is funded by Freemasons, their families and friends, from across England and Wales.
Mohamed Ahmed, Director of Education Skills Development Group (ESDEG), said:
“We’re extremely grateful to Middlesex Freemasons for this generous grant. Every day we see families across Ealing facing complex challenges as they try to access the right support for their children. This funding will allow us to reach more families, provide earlier intervention and continue delivering advice, advocacy and practical support that helps parents navigate the SEND system with greater confidence. At ESDEG, we’re committed to supporting disadvantaged communities through a wide range of education, wellbeing and community programmes, and this investment will strengthen our ability to continue making a meaningful difference across Ealing.”
David Allan from Middlesex Freemasons, said:
“I’m very pleased we’ve been able to help ESDEG with their hugely important programme helping children with SEND in Ealing. Their commitment to supporting children with SEND, empowering parents and strengthening local communities makes a real difference. We hope this funding will help even more families access the support they need and create lasting improvements in the lives of children across the borough..”
