Share On
Supported Internships for Employers
Contents
Supported internships
For further information on supported internships, please visit our Supported internships webpage.
Introduction
Supported internships were introduced by the government in 2013 to give a greater focus on preparing young people with special educational needs and disabilities with the skills needed for adulthood and employment.
A simple model ensures that there is minimal impact on the business and the student and there is no additional cost as each supported internship is government funded.
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
The main goal is for the young person to move into paid employment at the end.
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 when paid employment might arise.
Each intern and business 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 the young person and employer to ensure it is successful for everyone.
The job coach will work with local employers and Interns to ensure there is a suitable job match, 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 to your business?
- Free Job matching service – interns will have learnt the role and be fully trained and ready for when a paid vacancy arises. This, therefore, reduces recruitment costs for your business.
- Support from an experienced Job Coach – training and support will be tailored to each Intern and business throughout the duration of the Internship, while ensuring the Intern completes the job role to a high standard.
- Extended job interview – the internship can act as an extended working interview which gives you an increased chance of getting the right person.
- Elevated morale – supported internships can improve morale and team working, while giving existing staff the chance to lead and improve their personal performance.
Contact us
For further information please contact: supportedinternship@southessex.ac.uk
