A Supported Internship is for a young person with an EHCP. It is a study programme that prepares young people for employment. It works on building their skills and experience to make them job ready.
The college, employer and a job coach work together to support the young person around them. The work coach is there to have regular meetings/reviews with the young person, employer, and the college as a parent/carer you are also able to join if you have any concerns.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a cost for completing a supported internship?
No, there is no cost, Supported Internships are funded by the Education & Skills Funding Agency part of the Department of Education. The colleges also work closely with local authority’s SEN team.
How will they get to their work placement?
They will be required to travel independently to their placement, but they can apply to Access to Work (https://www.gov.uk/access-to-work) for travel training on public transport if required.
They college will also offer support with planning their journey and the local authority can offer travel training.
If a young person is unable to travel safely due to significant medical or mobility needs, please discuss this with the college as Access to Work might be able to offer further assistance.
What is Access to Work Funding?
Access to Work (https://www.gov.uk/access-to-work) is a grant from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) which helps pay for practical support to enable people with disabilities to work as independently as possible.
Access to Work can fund BSL interpreters, specially adapted equipment such as chairs and desks; technology such as screen magnification or screen readers; disability awareness training; job coaches and support with overcoming transport barriers that are caused by disability.
How are work placements found?
The colleges and local authority liaise with a wide range of local employers to source placements. The college takes into account the young person’s likes, hobbies and what they would like to do and then match them to a suitable placement.
What if my young person doesn’t like their placement?
The young person would need to discuss this with their job coach, who would look for a different placement.
What happens at the end of a Supported Internship?
The college will work with young people to support them into work or an apprenticeship. Some young people may choose to go to university if they already have the academic qualifications and others may choose to volunteer, but the aim of a supported internship is to support a young person to progress to work.
The young person’s EHCP will cease as they are no longer in education unless they progress to an apprenticeship.