Supported Internship

We offer 38-week Supported Internships that mirror school terms. Interns attend the workplace 4 days a week and spend 1 day a week improving their employability skills and independence skills. The programme runs for a minimum of 6 months. At this point, if the intern is ready and there is a vacancy in the host business, the intern can move in to payed employment.

Alongside their time at the place of employment, young people complete a personalised study programme which includes the chance to study for relevant substantial qualifications, if appropriate, and English and maths.

Supported Internships are so successful because they offer realistic, challenging and purposeful work placements with exceptional and sustained support from the Job Coach.

By breaking down the job into clearly identified tasks, the Job Coach can work with the intern to teach all the necessary skills, In addition, the Job Coach will help the intern understand and cope with the social aspects of work, such as workplace culture, timekeeping, working with other employees, health and safety, travel and using on-site facilities like the canteen.

Wherever possible, they support the young person to move into paid employment at the end of the programme.

Alongside their time at the employer, young people complete a personalised study programme aimed to improve their employability and independence skills. Most interns will study for a BTEC in Skills for Life and Skills for Work, as well as Functional Skills Maths and English. If there is a more appropriate qualification that the intern needs to gain employment then we can consider this as an option, for example, a CSCS card.

We will personalise your program of study and it will depend upon your previous achievements and will be tailored to your needs.

There are no formal qualifications required. Instead we look for a willingness to gain work and independence.

We accept referrals from young adults with learning difficulties and/or autism, who:

• Are aged 16 – 24
• Who have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)
• Who live in Medway, Kent or the South East.
• Are ready to move on from education and into work
• Are an independent traveller or willing to become an independent traveller.

It is hoped that at the end of the Supported Internship that the young person will move into paid employment, or reference to aid the young person into their next steps into work.

The Supported Intern will grow in confidence in both their work skills and life skills. They will become more independent.

The Supported Intern may gain qualifications.