Supported internships
We are able to offer a small number of young people, a work placement under a supported internship, subject to availability and sector interest.
Supported internships are for young people with learning difficulties, a disability or both, aged 16 to 24, with a statement of special educational needs (SEND), a my plan, a learning difficulty assessment, or an education, health and care plan (EHC) who want to move into employment and need extra support to do so.
Our internships are unpaid work-based study programmes that usually last for one year. They include an extended work placement that lasts for at least six months stepping from education into the workplace, whilst gaining the skills you need to get a paid job.
On a supported internship, you'll spend the majority of your time in the work place, developing your skills for employment.
A supported internship includes:
- An unpaid work placement of at least six months
- Support from a qualified job coach
- A personalised study programme, including the chance to study a relevant qualification, if suitable, and English and maths to an appropriate level
The role of the job coach
Every young person is supported in the work placement by a trained job coach, put in place by their education provider.
The job coach provides in-work support that tapers off, if appropriate, as you become familiar with your role.
Job coaches also work with employers, increasing their confidence in employing individuals with additional needs and helping them to create and support a diverse workforce.
Who we work with
Some of the educational providers that we are collaborating with are:
Aims of supported internships
The aim of supported internships is to support you if you have an education, health and care (EHC) plan to gain paid employment by:
- Supporting you to develop the skills valued by employers
- Enabling you to demonstrate your value in the workplace
- Developing confidence in your own ability to perform successfully at work.
The measure of success of a supported internship is a transition to sustained and paid employment.
Contact us
If you want further information please email dpt.careershub@nhs.net
