Introduction to Supported Internships
Supported Internships are designed to help young people with learning difficulties develop the skills they need to gain paid work. The program involves a work placement supported by a job coach, who helps the intern settle in and gradually become more independent.
What is a Supported Internship and How Do I Access the Program?
A Supported Internship is a program aimed at helping young people with a learning disability transition into paid work. Interns spend most of their week in the workplace, supported by a Job Coach, and part of their week with their education provider to develop employability skills, as well as Maths and English.
Who Can Apply?
You must be aged between 16-24 years old and have a current Education Health Care Plan. There are no entry requirements needed to do a Supported Internship, only the desire to want a job and be ready to start.
Where Can I Do My Supported Internship?
- Bury College: Supported Internship - Courses - Bury College
- Elmsbank: Elms Bank
- Choices College: Choices College - Supported internships (formerly Project Choice) | NHS England | Workforce, training and education
- Bridge College: Bridge College | Together Trust
- Digital Independent Specialist College (DISC): DISC - Digital Advantage
Preparing for Supported Internships
Supported Internship is a final year of education aimed at helping young people transition from education into paid work. Key preparation steps include gaining work experience or volunteering and completing a vocational profile.
Information for Employers
A Supported Internship helps bridge the gap from education into paid work by providing additional support to both the young person and the employer. The program is designed to support young people with additional needs who have an Educational Health Care Plan and are aged between 16-24.
How Does Your Business Benefit?
- Saves your company time and money
- Provides extra team capacity at no extra cost
- Opens up a diverse, undiscovered talent pool
- Provides motivated, committed employees
- Improves morale and team working
- Enhances your company’s reputation
- Demonstrates social value
Funding Support
The Supported Internship is an unpaid program, but to fund the support of a young person by a job coach in the workplace, an application will be made to DWP Access to Work on your behalf. Either the young person or a recognized appointee will have to sign invoices at the end of each month to release the funds for the Job Coach support.
Further Information
For more information, you can contact Zerqa Ahmad, SEND Business Development Officer, who is leading on the Supported Internship Programme.
- Telephone: 0161 253 7234.
- Email: z.ahmad@bury.gov.uk.
- Address: 3 Knowsley Place, Duke Street, Bury, BL9 0EJ.