Supported internships

If your young person is aged between 16 and 24 with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) and they're enthusiastic about employment as a next step, a supported internship can be a good way to develop their independence, confidence and employability skills. It is a full-time study programme, mainly based at the employer’s workplace, where they learn on the job with support from a workplace mentor, job coach and tutor.

If your young person learns best by doing and is ready to work but need extra support to take that step, a supported internship may be right for them.

Length of a supported internship

A supported internship should last at least 6 to 12 months and would normally be at least 20 hours per week.

Pay

Supported internships are unpaid but during the programme your young person will benefit from being part of a real business and develop skills to help them secure paid employment.

Organisations offering supported internships

These organisations currently offer supported internships across various sectors in York:

How to access supported internships

To access a supported internship, your young person must contact the provider and complete their application process. It would be advisable to access some careers advice and guidance before doing so, and discuss this during the annual reviews. The earlier your young person expresses an interest in this employment pathway, the more effectively tailored support and preparation can be provided to help identify the most appropriate opportunity.

You should then contact the SEN Team via email: [email protected], so they can share your child’s EHCP and consult with the provider.

Supported internship case studies

There are supported internship case studies available to watch online, to gain a better understanding of what they will look like in reality.

Family Fund with Blueberry Academy (YouTube)