Supported Internships
What You Need to Know
Have an EHCP?
A Supported Internship let’s you gain real work experience whilst still getting the support you need. It’s designed to help young people with additional learning needs move into paid employment.
Why try a Supported Internship?
| Benefit | What it means for you |
|---|---|
|
Workplace experience
|
You’ll spend time in a real job setting, learning what it’s like to work. |
|
Tailored support |
You’ll get help in work support from job coaches / mentors who understand your needs. |
|
Build skills |
Learn job-skills, social skills, timekeeping, and how to work with others. These are important skills that employers want.
You will develop confidence in your abilities in the workplace |
|
Qualifications & learning |
You’ll keep learning in classrooms or training centres alongside your work placement. |
|
Pathway to employment |
Many people move into paid work after completing an internship. |
Fast Facts
- For young people aged 16-25 with additional learning needs
- Combination of on-the-job training and supported study
- Placement in a workplace relevant to your interests or strengths
- Duration and timetable vary depending on the Learning Provider; usually between 6 – 12 months.
- Helps with English and maths if these aren’t already achieved
- Support from Learning Providers, employers, and job coaches
Am I eligible?
You may be if you:
- Are aged 16-25
- Have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)
- Find traditional study-routes such as being in the classroom for the majority of the time, hard to access or maintain
- Want to gain work experience leading to paid employment
What happens Next?
1
Find a provider — your school, further education college, or local careers service can help, but also look at providers with a Supported Internship Badge on this link ; Send Learning Providers
2
Application / interview — show interest, share what you want to learn and the kind of support you need.
3
Plan your learning — decide which workplace placements suit you, what skills you want to develop.
4
Start your internship — 50/70 % of the time may be at a workplace, for the remaining time you will be in classroom setting with support.
5
Work towards employment — at the end, you’ll be ready to apply for paid jobs, apprenticeships or further study.
Want to know more?
Talk to:
- Your school’s careers adviser
- Your local college or training provider
- Birmingham Careers Service if you are NEET and aged up 19 ( 24 with an EHCP
Birmingham Careers Service provides careers guidance and support to young people aged up to 19 (up to 25 for those with additional needs)
