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Supported Internships
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Supported internships for employers
For information on supported internships for employers, please visit our Supported internships for employers webpage.
What is a supported internship?
Supported Internships are structured, work-based study programmes for 16–24-year-olds with SEND, who have an education, health, and care (EHC) plan.
The aim of a supported Internship is a substantial work placement, facilitated by the support of a job coach. Internships, provide the opportunity for young people to achieve sustained, paid employment by equipping them with the skills needed for work, through learning in the workplace.
The internship provides real-life work experience combined with training in employability and independent-living skills to help youngsters with disabilities make successful transitions from school/college to productive adult life. A structured study programme based primarily at an employer which includes the chance to enhance their English and Maths and employability skills.
Please contact supportedinternship@southessex.ac.uk
During their time at the employer, young people complete a personalised study programme which includes English, maths and employability skills.
How does a supported internship work?
Interns work for an employer for a minimum of six months to learn the role and tackle the tasks needed to become suitable for paid employment.
Each intern will receive on-site training from a professional job coach who will support the intern to learn the skills required for that workplace or task and encourage them to become involved in support systems such as co-workers.
Support will then be gradually faded as and when the intern achieves independence in the workplace. This is known as the learn, train and fade model.
What is a Job coach?
Job coaches support young people with disabilities to learn and perform their work duties.
The job coach will work with local employers and job-match the interns with a suitable employer depending on their interests and aspirations.
The job coach will monitor the intern’s progress throughout their internship and review/discuss opportunities with the employer.
The job coach will monitor the intern’s progress throughout their internship.
What are the benefits?
Supported internships will benefit the intern by raising confidence, developing independence & resilience and exposing them to a working environment. They will also gain other life skills such as travelling to and from work if appropriate.
The intern will:
- Gain invaluable experience and learn new skills in the work place
- Further develop their English and maths skills
- Improve their chance of gaining paid employment
Contact us
For further information please contact: supportedinternship@southessex.ac.uk
