About Supported Internships

What is a Supported Internship?

A supported internship is a workplace based educational programme for young people with an EHCP. It lasts for up to a year and consists of one or more work placements with one or more employers. Interns gain valuable experience in the workplace and can be supported by a job coach to help them learn the job role. Employbility and job search skills are also provided.  The primary aim of a supported internship is to provide young people with EHCPs the experience and skills they need to help them gain employment.

The internship is unpaid but can lead to employment if at the end of the placement, if there is a vacancy and the young person meets the criteria. The intern will also gain experience, employability skills and additional help in seeking and applying for jobs.

Who is a supported internship for?

They are for young people who really want to work, are near to work ready and have an EHCP (Education, Health and Care Plan.) The majority of supported interns are aged between 18-24 and nearing the end of their educational pathways.

What support will the young people get?

Once the young person starts the supported internship programme they should be assigned a job coach who will teach all the skills that are needed to be effective in the work place environment. The role of the job coach is to help the young person make the transition into the work place.

What will be achieved by going on a supported internship?

All young people completing a supported internship will know how to apply for a job and will know what is expected of them in the workplace.

All young people completing a supported internship will gain confidence, improve their self-esteem and feel they have made a big step on their path to independence.

Perhaps best of all, when they succeed in the workplace they will become a trailblazer showing other young people and employers that disability is not an obstacle and is often an advantage in the workplace.

Who can access a Supported Internship programme?

To be accepted onto a Supported Internship Programme, you must

• Have an EHCP
• Be near to work ready and requiring an intensive programme to prepare them to enter employment.
• The majority will be aged 18-24.
• Want to gain the skills to be employable
• Be able to travel independently or working towards this