Supported internships

Work-based study programmes for people aged 16 to 24 who have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).

The National Development Team for Inclusion (NDTI) Preparing for Adulthood has created an easy read guide to supported internships.

Supported internships are structured, work-based study programmes for people aged between 16 and 24 with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) who also have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).

If you are taking part in an internship, you are known as an intern.

Many young people with support needs are keen to aim for paid work, but still need to develop the skills to be successful. The aim of a supported internship is to get young people ready for the expectations and structure in a workplace which improves the prospect of employment or an apprenticeship.

Information about supported internships

  • They are for people aged between 16 and 24 who have an Education, Health and Care Plan.

    The option of a supported internship should be included in discussions at annual review from year 9 to allow everyone to plan the pathways to support the young person to reach their goals.
    There are no entry requirements needed, only the desire to want a job.

    The overall goal of supported internships is for young people with SEND to move into paid employment.

  • It is a one-year structured study programme of unpaid on-the-job training supported by experienced job coaches.

    The supported internship programme gives young people the experience of working and supports them to develop their skills, so they can move into employment.

    Interns receive support with English and Maths through engaging and interesting activities which are relevant to the workplace.

    Placements should last over six months and normally would be at least 20 hours per week.

    A key part of the supported internship is the on-the-job training provided by experienced job coaches who work in partnership with the employer.

    Read about people (case studies) who have completed Supported Internships from the National Development Team for Inclusion.

    Find out more about the role of the job coach.

    If you are an employer, you can get more information about the benefits to your business from hosting supported internships or email supported.internships@westsussex.gov.uk.

    Key facts include:

    • you will be aged 16 to 24 and will have an EHCP
    • approximately 70% of the time will be spent in the workplace
    • there are chances to progress
    • a supportive job coach will help you
    • you will improve your chances of moving into paid employment
    • you can study during your working week
    • you will be supported to learn and improve the skills you need
    • you will be able to work with experienced staff
  • There are some key things that need to be done to prepare for a supported internship:
    The option of a supported internship should be included in discussions at annual reviews from year 9 to allow everyone to plan the pathways to support the young person to reach their goals.

    To help to find the best supported internship work placement, it is important to have work experience. This helps the young person to gain knowledge about areas of interest, strengths and skills.

    The vocational profile is an important piece of work to be completed before starting a supported internship. This profile helps to build up a picture of interests and skills, past work experience, past information about school, information about travel training, and the areas of support needed. You can plan the completion of the vocational profile at your EHCP review.

  • As supported internships are unpaid and regarded as an education course, benefits are not affected during the time of the supported internship placement.

  • The Access to Work fund is available to anybody who is facing barriers whilst in paid work.

    Access to work can also provide funding for job coaching and travel training in the workplace for interns whilst on the supported internship.

    The education provider delivering the supported internship will apply for this funding, to enable the intern to be supported whilst on the programme. However, before the education provider can use any of this funding to support the intern, Access to Work will write to the new intern to inform them of this funding application and ask for consent to share information.

    Find out more about the Access to Work fund and how to apply.

  • Supported internships are only available to young people with SEND who have an EHCP.

    The aim of the supported internship is to secure paid employment or meaningful progression towards employment. The EHCP will be used to support this journey for young people between 16 to 24 years old.

    Once in paid employment the EHCP would remain for up to one year. This is to ensure the young person is established in their workplace and does not require any further vocational support from the EHCP.

    If paid employment has not been secured and the meaningful progression towards employment includes education, the EHCP would remain in place to support this.

  • You will achieve paid employment or meaningful progression towards employment by:

    • gaining paid employment with the employer providing the supported internship
    • where that is not possible, interns will be supported with job searches and signposting to other work opportunities
    • liaising with other services (for example, Job Centres (Access to Work) or local supported employment services who can support progression towards employment
  • Entering paid employment at the end of the supported internship, either with the placement host or another employer, may affect your benefits.

    You can contact the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) for more information, or if you have any further concerns or queries. You can also book an appointment at your local Jobcentre Plus, to seek advice.

    Alternatively, you can visit GOV.UK and view the benefit calculators to assist with your query.

    The National Development Team for Inclusion (NDTI) have produced a Better off in Work guide which tells you how you might have more money and a better quality of life from being in employment.

    The Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities Information, Advice and Support Service (SENDIAS) can offer impartial information about benefits and supported internships.

  • Take a look at the courses that these colleges offer:

    • Chichester College
    • Crawley College
    • Northbrook College
    • Woodlands Meed College
    • The SAND Project
    • Team Domenica - Brighton and Hove area
    • Plumpton College - Lewes area
    • Havant and South Downs College - Hampshire area

    Employment myth-buster quiz

    Take our quiz and uncover the truth about supporting people with SEND reach their career goals.

  • As part of the national internships work programme, West Sussex County Council has received a grant from the Department for Education to develop our SEND Employment Forum and increase the number of supported internship in our area.

    If you have a question you would like to ask regarding supported internships and what is available in West Sussex, email supported.internships@westsussex.gov.uk.

    More reading and resources