Supported Internship
Internships are structured Further Educational (FE) study programmes of up to one year, delivered by FE institutions for Young People with an EHCP. Learning takes place primarily at an employer workplace and help equip young people with the skills they need to transition into paid employment.
The aim is for the intern to attain paid employment with the employer at the end of the programme. Where this is not possible the young person can seek support from the Job Centre or if in receipt of Social care from Enable.
An EHCP is expected to end following the successful completion of the supported internship.
Supported internships in West London
Supported Internships are a one-year transition program which provides training and education leading to employment for individuals with disabilities. The programme occurs on-site at a business which has the commitment to support people with disabilities in the workplace.
Internships are based on a partnership that includes a business, a training organisation (sometimes a college) and a supported employment organisation. The goal is to provide on-site internship experiences for Young People with learning disabilities to acquire necessary skills leading to competitive employment.
The internship is total immersion in a business. Each day, students report to the business, learn employability skills in the classroom and job skills while participating in 3 – 4 internships/experiences during the year. Students also participate in monthly progress meetings to define their career goal and plan necessary steps to achieve that goal.
Students get continual feedback from managers, co-workers, and project staff. Students end their day by reflection, problem solving, planning, and journaling their key learning. The ultimate goal upon programme completion is competitive employment utilising the skills learned on the internships and throughout the programme. Over 400 young people with learning disabilities are now undertaking Supported Internships programmes in London every year.
Who can apply?
Supported Internships are open to all applicants with Moderate Learning Disabilities (MLD) who are aged between 18 and 24 on 31 August of the current calendar year (some take applicants at 16) and who are keen to be offered paid employment (not necessarily at the host business or organisation) at the end of the programme.
Applicants must be able to commit to the full length of the programme (10 months) and attend 5 days a week (with holidays). A full list of eligibility criteria and the application process for each internship are available from the contact names listed with each programme.
All applicants for a DFN Project Search Supported Internship must either have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) provided through their Local Authority or be in the process of obtaining one. Applicants must also be capable of travelling independently to and from their places of training and home or be willing to be trained to do so.
What to do?
Look at the different options in the programme and check out the application information, each Internship is different.
The Further Education Colleges and Schools will plan to hold open days or open evenings about the Supported Internship(s) they offer, usually between January and April, to enable young people and their families to gain a better understanding of the opportunities they can offer. The open events are also a chance for interested students and their families to ask questions and to submit application forms.
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend a skills and capabilities assessment day (usually held between February and May) where they will take part in a short informal interview and be asked to participate in some given tasks.
Successful applicants will be enrolled as students at a Further Education College at the start of the autumn term (except for those internships where a school or other organisation is indicated as the education partner), while the internship itself takes place on the premises of the host business or organisation in normal circumstances.