Supported Internships
Supported Internships are government-supported study programmes for young people aged 16 to 24 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) who have an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan. The programmes combine substantial workplace experience with education and specialist job coaching, with the goal of helping participants move into sustained paid employment.
Supported Internships can help adult social care providers develop a more diverse workforce by creating employment opportunities for young people with SEND. They support social care employers to access motivated individuals who may bring valuable lived experience, empathy and commitment to caring roles. This aligns closely with the sector's focus on inclusion, equality and workforce expansion.
Key objectives
- Support young people with SEND into paid employment
- Develop workplace skills, confidence and independence
- Provide real-life work experience in a supported environment
- Improve employment outcomes for people who face barriers to entering the labour market
How the programme works
- Participants undertake a structured work placement as part of a full-time study programme
- An expert job coach provides support in the workplace
- Learners gain practical work experience alongside classroom-based learning and employability skills development
- The primary aim is progression into sustainable paid employment
Key benefits
...for Adult Social Care providers
- Access to a wider and more diverse talent pool
- Opportunities to demonstrate inclusive employment practices
- Development of future employees through supported work placements
- Support from education providers and job coaches throughout the internship
...for participants
- Real workplace experience.
- Increased confidence and independence
- Development of employability and social skills
- Improved chances of securing paid employment
Adult social care employers often need people with strong interpersonal skills, empathy and a commitment to supporting others. Supported Internships can help providers build inclusive recruitment pathways while creating opportunities for young people with SEND to enter meaningful employment and contribute to the care workforce. This makes them a valuable, though often underused, workforce resource.
