Saul's story

“I work at Stepping Hill hospital in receipt and distribution. It was the best move to make in my journey to get a job. I learned how to work in a team and follow simple instructions.

“I met new people and now I've become friends with them. It feels good to be in work. It's improved my life because it's now given me a steady income to be able to do the things I want in life.”

Starting a supported internship

To start a supported internship, you'll need to:

• be aged 16 to 24
• have an education, health and care plan (EHC)

What you'll do as a supported intern

On a supported internship, you’ll spend the majority of your time in the work place, developing your skills for employment.

A supported internship includes:

• an unpaid work placement of at least 6 months
• support from a qualified job coach
• a personalised study programme, including the chance to study a relevant qualification, if suitable, and English and maths to an appropriate level

Funding

You may be eligible for Access to Work funding.

The support you get will depend on your needs but could include a grant to help pay towards practical support with your work, including a job coach.

After your supported internship

The aim of a supported internship is to prepare you for working in a paid job.

You could get a paid job at the same place you did your supported internship or you could look for a job with a different employer.

You could also carry on training by doing a traineeship or an apprenticeship.

Help and advice

You can get help and advice from:

• Disability Rights UK: information, advice and resources for disabled students
• Preparing for Adulthood: guidance on supported internships and study programmes for young people with a disability or learning difficulty
• Talking Futures: support for parents and guardians looking to explore education and career options with their child

Applying for a supported internship

You can apply for supported internships through your school or college.