Supported Internship - information for employers
Preparing young people for employment
What is a Supported Internship?
Supported Internship is a programme that helps young people aged 16 to 24 with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) move into meaningful paid work.
Young people with an EHCP have a special educational need. This may include:
- communication and interaction
- cognition and learning
- social, emotional and mental health
- sensory needs
- physical needs
In 2024, we launched a pilot to support learners with additional needs (and without an EHCP) across four sites in Hampshire. Email [email protected] to find out more.
Benefits for employers
Taking on a Supported Intern costs nothing extra for your business. Supported Internships are funded by the government. All it requires is some time and support from your team. In return, your staff gain experience in training and mentoring. You can shape the programme to suit your business needs and the needs of the intern.
Supported Internships give employers the chance to take part in a programme that highlights the skills and potential of young people with Special Educational Needs (SEN). They show the value that these young people bring to the workplace and helps employers work towards becoming Disability Confident.
I would strongly recommend other employers to get involved in offering placements and working with the Employment and Skills Hub. It’s a very rewarding experience and is a long-term investment that supports recruitment solutions, provides a brighter future for young people and creates a positive work environment
How the internship works
Interns complete a substantial work placement with an employer. This may lead to a part-time or full-time job.
Working in partnership is key to the success of Supported Internships. By working together, we can maintain high standards, share good practice, and keep things open and transparent.
Skills Coaches are part of the Learning Support team and support interns throughout the programme. They can help young people with learning difficulties and disabilities or academic, social, emotional, or behavioural challenges.
How to provide a work placement for a Supported Internship
We’ve had fantastic support from departments, managers, and organisations in the past. We’re still looking for more organisations who can offer a nine-month work placement to a young person. Placements run from November to July.
If you work for Hampshire County Council and are interested in offering a placement, speak to your Departmental Co-ordinator or Manager. If your organisation is outside the County Council, email [email protected] or [email protected].
What makes a good quality placement
- Relevant and meaningful – placements should match the young person’s interests, skills, needs and long-term goals
- Organisational commitment – support from managers and a low ratio of interns to staff
- Preparation – before starting, Hampshire Achieves, the employer, the skills coach, and the intern need to work together to plan and understand the intern's needs
- Clear agreement – a written plan made with the intern, employer, skills coach, and Hampshire Achieves. It needs to set out expectations, training plans and arrangements for reviews
- Structured experience – the placement plan should include an induction, clear objectives and off-the-job training with a mentor or buddy
- Regular feedback – managers should provide constructive feedback and reviews throughout the placement
For more information contact [email protected].