Supported Internship

Mencap is a leading learning disability charity. Our Supported Internship programmes connect young people, aged 16-24 with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) to a wide range of work experience opportunities with employers in lots of different sectors. Our employer partners include Greene King, Travis Perkins, Tesco, Mitie, Ford, Google, The Financial Times and Guinness World Records. We organise work experience for learners based on their individual skills, needs and interests. Our programme also involves learning about the world of work that ensures learners are equipped to succeed during their work experience and are well placed to secure paid work at the end of the programme. We deliver the classroom learning element of this supported internship in Barnet. We also take learners from other London boroughs, while the work experience element of the programme may take place in a different borough. To find out more about Mencap's supported internships, visit our website: https://www.mencap.org.uk/advice-and-support/education-skills-and-work/supported-internships To find out more about our programme in Barnet specifically and to discuss enrolment, contact programme coordinator, Megan Clark: megan.clark@mencap.org.uk

To join our Supported Internship programme, you must be aged 16 to 24 and have an active EHCP. You must live in the local authority area where our programme is based or in a nearby area easily commutable to our premises. You must also be able to demonstrate a desire to find a job.

You will experience a curriculum tailored to your needs that prepares you for the world of work. This includes understanding the local job market, creating CVs and cover letters, understanding health and safety in the workplace and professional conduct, interview preparation and technique. We will also help you to take English and maths qualifications and to improve your ICT skills where required. Through work experience placements, meanwhile, you will learn about the specific requirements of the role and sector you are working in, with support from a job coach.

You will learn in a classroom setting with a group of around twenty peers. You will complete your work experience placements on site or remotely, depending on the individual requirements of employers and specific roles. You will complete these individually, though with the support of a job coach as required.

You do not need to bring any equipment for this programme.

The aim of the programme is to support learners into paid jobs at the end. The majority of our learners achieve this, however, some go on to different destinations like further study or apprenticeships.