Supported Internship

All young people, no matter what their additional need or disability have the right to reach their full potential and receive the right support to help them do this. The Supported Internship Programme is designed to help 18-24 year olds with learning disabilities and/or autism with an Education, Health and Care Plan to gain the skills and experience they need to succeed in the world of work.

Supported Internships are structured, work-based study programmes that includes a substantial work placement that is facilitated and supported by a dedicated job coach.

The Supported Internship is a great opportunity to improve your chances of securing sustained and meaningful paid employment.  Gaining paid employment will help to bring you financial independence and is key to building your confidence and self-esteem, increasing health and well-being and helping you to gain friendships and a fulfilling social life.

A dedicated job coach will accompany you to your placement, supporting you to learn your new role and helping your workplace to make reasonable adjustments.

You will learn all about the world of work including how to conduct yourself in the workplace, confidently and expertly carry out practical skills, communicate with people you come across on a daily basis, work as part of a team and be confident working independently. You will become more independent as you progress through your internship and will be amazed at what you can achieve! Your employability sessions give you the tools and knowledge to put together and update your C.V., conduct job searches and how to perform well in an interview, giving you the best start in your future beyond education.

Your dedicated Internship Coordinator, job coaches and teachers will support you along the way, helping you to learn the role and provide you with any other training that you may need. They can accompany you to meetings and work trials with employers and help with anything you might need to be successful in your work placement.  In addition, regular 1:1s will take place to offer further support.

You will continue to study English and Maths at a level appropriate for you and this may take the form of attending lessons or maintaining a journal and attending weekly catch up sessions where you will discuss how you have used English and maths in life and at work.

The desired outcome is for you to gain meaningful, paid employment of 16 hours or more per week. Additional or alternative positive outcomes include progression on to an apprenticeship, voluntary work, and independent living.

We have links with many employers across Warrington with previous students having completed placements with employers such as Warrington Borough Council, Amazon, Warrington Market, Waitrose, Engine Rooms at Birchwood Park, Balfour Beatty and Waitrose plus a range of smaller independent employers.

Although, we have a number of well-established placements ready to accommodate interns we are happy to work with you to find more personalised work placement opportunities to ensure you complete your placement with a local employer that suits your career preferences and ability.

You will be fully supported by dedicated course staff and teachers who will help you to learn new skills for your work placement and help you to reach your goals and progress with your education.

We also have a team of staff dedicated to providing learning support if it is required and a welfare team that are on hand to offer guidance, support and help when needed.  Additionally, eligible students can access a wide range of finance and funding support to help them during their time at college.

While on placement, you will be accompanied by a job coach who will help you to develop and put into practise the skills you need moving forward into the world of work. Job Coaches also work closely with employers to identify and help make any reasonable adjustments that may be necessary to best support you in the workplace.

Our Supported Internship coordinators, tutors and job coaches will be there to support you every step of the way. They will arrange your placement, employer visits and work trials and will provide 1:1 practical support if you need it.

We work closely with employers and the local authority to ensure this course provides the best employment opportunities for young people with EHCP’s.

We have excellent student satisfaction with 100% of learners saying they are happy with the course and would recommend it to a friend.

You should be between 17 and 24 years old, however, we recommend 18+.

You should have an active EHCP.

You should have a strong desire to work 16 or more hours a week.

You should be fit to work.

It is an advantage if you can travel independently.

Any costs attached to trips and visits or any PPE required will be notified in advance and all costs are kept to a minimum to ensure all learners can participate. Help is available if learners are in receipt of a bursary.