Supported Internship

A Supported Internship is a programme that is specifically designed to support 17–24-year-olds with a learning disability and an Education, Health and Care Plan to gain the skills they need to progress into employment.

The internship is based primarily at an employer’s premises and is designed to enable you to achieve sustainable, paid employment by equipping you with the skills you need for work. Learning from an experienced employer will help you develop a range of valuable skills and prepare you for the future.

The rest of your week is based at college where you will develop the employability skills and workplace knowledge you need to function and thrive at work. As part of your course, you will also improve and maintain essential English and maths skills.

This course is ideal for those who want to become more independent and experience the world of work. Many young people with special educational needs are more than capable of securing paid employment with the right planning and support. If you have an ambition to secure employment, we can help you reach your goal.

You will learn all about the world of work, including how to conduct yourself in the workplace and how to communicate effectively. You will also learn how to work successfully both independently and as part of a team. You will also develop a range of fantastic practical skills. The course will also boost your confidence and help you feel ready to move on to the next step. The supported internship coordinator, tutors, and job coaches will support you throughout all aspects of your internship, 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, attend your workplace, and help with anything you might need to be successful on your work placement.

Classroom-based learning will focus on preparing you for employment by covering topics such as:

• Health and safety
• Communication skills
• Timekeeping and attendance
• Resilience
• Behaviours at work
• English and maths at an appropriate level for you
• Personal development, progress and current issues delivered in a tutorial by a progress coach.

The ideal outcome after completing the internship would be the offer of paid employment from an employer, possibly the employer with whom have completed your internship with. However, other successful outcomes can include:

• Gaining experience for a CV that will better place you for applying for jobs
• Working in the voluntary sector
• Embarking upon a training programme
• Applying for traineeships and apprenticeships
• Improving English and maths to better prepare you for work
• Becoming more independent, such as independent travelling.

We have links to many employers across Warrington, and previous students have completed placements with employers such as Warrington Borough Council, Amazon, Warrington Market, Waitrose, Balfour Beatty, and Livewire Warrington.

You will complete your placement with a local employer that suits your career preferences and ability.

We have links to many employers across Warrington, and previous students have completed placements with employers such as Warrington Borough Council, Amazon, Warrington Market, Waitrose, Balfour Beatty, and Livewire Warrington.

You will complete your placement with a local employer that suits your career preferences and ability.

You will be allocated a progress coach who will provide you with support to help you succeed on your study programme and progress on to your chosen career or progression path. We have a team of staff dedicated to providing learning support if required, as well as a Welfare Team that is 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.

Click here for learning support: https://wvr.ac.uk/college-life/learning-support

Click here for finance support: https://wvr.ac.uk/college-life/financial-support

Our supported internship coordinator and job coaches will be there to support you every step of the way. They will arrange your placement as well as employer visits and work trials, and will provide one to one practical support if you need it.

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

You will need to have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) and be willing to experience the world of work.

There may be the requirement to purchase a uniform but applying for a bursary, if you are eligible, may be able to help fund this and pay towards travel expenses if required.