Supported Internships
What are Supported Internships?
Many young people with additional needs want to work, but it can be hard to get a job, particularly for those with more complex needs.
If you are between 16 and 24 years old and have an Education Health and Care Plan, you may have the opportunity to enrol on a study programme that will help you get a job and live independently, get qualifications if needed, and support you with maths and English.
A Supported Internship is a structured, work-based study programme. The main aim of the programme is to help you move into paid employment. Supported Internships are unpaid but are focused on helping you move towards getting a paid job.
Programmes last for a minimum of 6 months, up to 1 year.
If you do a Supported Internship, you are in full-time education, but spend most of your time and do most of your learning (around 70%) in a work placement, with a smaller amount of time spent at college.
A Supported Internship offers you the chance to get work experience and develop a range of useful work skills, build your confidence and help you to develop independence. If you are a practical learner it could be a good choice for you.
Work placement
During your time as a supported intern, you may have one or several work placements, or might undertake a number of roles with a single employer.
Depending on the type of work placement you have and the needs of the employer, you may be required to work during holidays, in the evenings or at weekends.
Supported Internships are available in a range of businesses and organisations including retail, catering, hospitality, childcare, horticulture, healthcare and hair and beauty. The colleges mentioned below will be able to tell you about local opportunities.
Support from a job coach
You will be supported in the work placement by a trained job coach who will help you learn the necessary skills. As you develop skills and become more independent in the workplace you will need less support from your job coach.
You will have termly reviews with your job coach and your employer to make sure everything is going well.
Personalised study programme
In addition to your work placement, you will complete a personalised study programme at college, which will include the chance to do relevant qualifications, if appropriate, and English and maths at a suitable level.
You will also learn practical work and life skills. You might also do community work as part of your programme, such as volunteering at a food bank, or doing some gardening at a community venue.
What do I need to get a supported internship?
You can apply for a Supported Internship if you:
- are 16 to 24 years old
- have an Education Health and Care Plan
- want paid employment and have a good work ethic
- have had good attendance and commitment at school or college
- are able to travel independently or are able to undertake travel training
Supported Internships are usually the last step in your education journey and most people start them at age 18 or 19 following completion of other educational courses (such as a pathway programme, for example), but it is possible to start at age 16 depending on circumstances.
Where are Supported Internships offered?
Supported Internships can be done through South Essex College (from their main Southend City Centre Campus) or USP College (from their Canvey Island campus).
Supported Internships at South Essex College.
Supported Internships at USP College
What will I get at the end of a Supported Internship?
The ultimate goal of a Supported Internship is for you to secure paid employment, having gained work experience and skills.
You may also wish to progress onto an Apprenticeship programme, if you have the required qualifications.
As part of the Supported Internship programme you may gain:
- Functional Skills qualifications or GCSE's
- a Personal Social Development qualification
- an employability qualification
Who can I contact for information on Supported Internships and other employment and training options?
Your annual reviews from year 9 will include discussions about your wishes for employment, education or training from the age of 16.
As soon as you think you might want a Supported Internship, talk to those who help you.
You can find out more from:
- the Preparing for Adulthood team at Southend-on-Sea Council. You can contact the team by phone on 01702 215246 or by email at SENTeam@southend.gov.uk. This is the team that your Local Authority EHCP Co-ordinator works in, so you can also contact them directly
- Learning Support Teams at South Essex College or USP College, or your school SENCO
- your social worker or transition worker if you have one
Further information about supported internships
Easy read guide for young people about Supported Internships
Internships Work resources from the National Development Team for Inclusion (NDTi)
Department for Education grant
As part of the national Internships Work programme, Southend-on-Sea City Council has received a grant from the Department for Education to develop our SEND employment forum and increase the number of Supported Internships in our area.
Local employers and supported internships
If you are an organisation based in Southend-on-Sea and are interested in providing a work placement for a supported intern, please contact South Essex College or USP College.
The Southend-on-Sea City Council Preparing for Adulthood Team ran a SEND Business Enterprise Event on 14 February 2024 about Supported Internships. This was an opportunity for businesses and organisations in Southend-on-Sea to learn more about Supported Internships.
Local businesses and organisations attended, as well as representatives from the Supported Internship teams at local colleges. Attendees learnt more about the structure and purpose of the course, as well as the benefits of working with a supported intern. Some great feedback was received, as well as interest from local businesses and organisations who would like to get involved.
The Preparing for Adulthood Team would like to continue to promote the Supported Internship course, expanding our network and encouraging more individuals to participate.