What are Supported Internships?
What are Supported Internships?
What are Supported Internships?
Supported internships are a structured study programme based primarily at an employer. They enable young people aged 16-24 with a statement of SEN, or an Education, Health and Care plan to achieve sustainable paid employment by equipping them with the skills they need for work, through learning in the workplace.
A supported internship includes:
- an unpaid work placement of at least 6 months
- support from a qualified job coach
- a personalised study programme, including the chance to study a relevant qualification, if suitable, and English and maths to an appropriate level
- young people spend the majority of the time in the workplace, developing skills for employment.
- Although there is no guarantee of a job at the end of the programme, the aim of a supported internship is to prepare young people for working in a paid job.
Click here to download an Easy Read Version on Supported Internships
- Who offers Supported Internships?
-
We have published a list of all the Supported Internships in our Education and Employment section of the Local Offer. Please click on the following links to see all of the providers.
- Supported Internships Success Stories
-
I heard about Project Choice (Choices College) when I was at Walker Riverside Academy, some past students I knew from college came to my class to talk about their time on the project. I really liked the idea of learning in the workplace and hearing about how they had enjoyed it. I was excited to apply.
I was so happy when I was offered a place after attending an interview, and although I was nervous to start the project, I was also really looking forward to it. We had some keep in touch days to meet other students in the summer before hand which helped me know what to expect.
My first placement was in the Linen room as a porter at the Royal Victoria Infirmary which is one of the large hospitals in the Trust. My mentors were really kind and showed me how to do the tasks. I started to get more confident and was soon talking to lots of different staff and delivering linen around a number of wards in the hospital. The college day has been good too, as we get together as a group. I have enjoyed the employability work we have completed and have made progress in maths and english.
For my 2nd placement I moved on to try a Domestic Assistant role cleaning on the wards. I started off on one ward and then added 2 more, so I was working on an adult ward, a burns unit and a children’s ward. This job is physically hard, but I soon got used to it and asked to continue in this placement for my final term. I love the teams I am in, and I also enjoy chatting to the patients if they want a conversation.
A part time Domestic Assistant job came up at the Freeman Hospital, which is the other main hospital in the Trust. I was asked by the project staff if I would like support in applying for it. I was nervous, but knew I was ready to do this. I did some practice mock interviews and some 1:1 coaching before the interview. Lorna came into the interview with me for support in case I needed the questions explained in a different way. I was so nervous before the interview, but the managers interviewing me were really kind and explained everything clearly and I managed to talk about my experience and skills I had learned. The best part of the project for me was receiving the phone call from the manager the next day, offering me the role!
The project has pushed me out of my comfort zone, but I am ready for paid work, I start in a few weeks, and I am really proud of myself. I would recommend this project to anyone as it has been the best thing I have ever done.
- Outcomes of Supported Internships
-
Name of provision Total Number of Newcastle Learners completing course Number who were offered 15+ hours paid work per week Number who were offered less than 15 hours paid work per week (not including zero hour contracts) Number with employment on zero hour contracts Number offered an apprenticeship Number who were offered traineeships Number undertaking voluntary work Number not employed or in training Number who have returned to study Choices College 8 7 0 0 3 1 0 0 0 Newcastle College City Learning 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 Tyne Coast South Tyneside College Table showing outcomes for Newcastle learners who completed supported internships in 2022-2023
Previous outcomes:
- Learners who completed Supported Internships 2021-2022
- Learners who completed Supported Internships 2019-2020
Please note that other Colleges and learning providers undertake Supported Internships but did not supply us with their outcome information.
- Applying for a Supported Internship
-
If you are interested in applying for a Supported Internship and want to find out more contact your SEND Caseworker on 0191 277 4650. Alternatively, you can contact the providers of Supported Internships as listed above to express your interest and find out more information.
