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 in order for young adults with learning disabilities to acquire necessary skills leading to competitive employment.
The cornerstone of the internship is total immersion in a large business. Each day, students report to the host 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, with an average employment achievement rate of over 60%.