Supported Internships - everything you need to know

A Supported Internship is a study programme designed for young people aged 16 to 24 who have an Education, Health and Care and Care Plan (EHCP). It is aimed at those who want to move into employment but need additional support to get there.

Supported Internships are different from other study programmes because their main focus is gaining real work experience. Most learning takes place directly in the workplace, supported by a job coach. A smaller amount of time is spent in college, usually studying maths, English and employability skills.

When to move on to a Supported Internship

Supported Internships are a positive next step following Further Education. They are a great option for young people who learn best through hands‑on, practical experience.

A young person can move on to a Supported Internship when:

• they want to move into paid work
• they have completed school or a college course and now need real work experience

Many students progress onto a Supported Internship when they are ready for the transition into employment but need structured support to get there.

Who can take part?

To start a Supported Internship, a young person must:

• be aged 16 to 24
• have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)
• have the desire to move into paid work

Education Health and Care Plans (EHCP)

Supported Internships act as a bridge between education and employment. Because of this, your EHCP will usually end once you finish your internship unless you progress onto an apprenticeship. Therefore the young person should complete any academic or vocational qualifications before starting a Supported Internship.

How long does a Supported Internship last?

Supported Internships typically run for one academic year and include an unpaid work placement of at least six months. Many students require a higher level of support to develop confidence and independence in the workplace.

Will I receive support?

Yes. The college will support them to become as independent as possible with the level of support needed tailored to their individual needs. If they need help with classroom learning, the college will work with the local authority Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) team to organise the right support. Colleges work hard to secure suitable work placements, and you will be supported by a job coach who helps you learn and settle into your role.

What happens next?

After completing a Supported Internship, young people are often ready to progress into:

• a traineeship
• an apprenticeship
• paid employment
• higher education

The aim is to equip each young person with the skills, experience, and confidence they need to succeed in the world of work.

Supported interns attend college alongside their work placement. Colleges include:

• Stockton Riverside College - supported internships
• NHS Choices
• Prior Pursglove College
• Middlesbrough College

Qualification levels provided at Further Education

Entry Levels 

Entry levels include:

• Entry Level 1 - lowest
• Entry Level 2 - middle
• Entry Level 3 - highest Entry Level

Entry Level 3 is similar in difficulty to early Key Stage 3 work, (pre GCSE)

Level 1 (Above Entry Level 3)

After Entry Level 3, the next step up is Level 1, which includes:

• Level 1 Functional Skills
• Level 1 vocational qualifications (for example, Level 1 Construction, Hair and Beauty, Motor Vehicle)
• equivalent to roughly GCSE grade 1 to 3 (previously G to D)

Level 2 (GCSE Level)

Level 2 includes:

• GCSE's at grade 4 to 9 (previously C to A*)
• Level 2 vocational qualifications and some apprenticeships. This is the level many learners aim for by the end of Year 11 or during Further Education college study.

Level 3 (A‑Level and T Level standard)

Level 3 Includes:

• A‑levels
• T Levels
• Level 3 BTEC's and  Extended Diplomas. This level is typical for ages 16 to 19 aiming for university or skilled employment

Supported internship graduation and celebration events

We love to see our supported interns flourish and succeed. We hold celebration events each year for our supported interns to share their successes.

Read about some of our brilliant successes from students who have benefited from a Supported Internship. 

Meet Jack 

Jack attended Abbey Hill Sixth Form College and studied for his Supported Internship at Stockton Riverside College.  

He secured a role as a yard assistant at Smithfield Timber in Middlesbrough after impressing bosses on a work placement as part of his Supported Internship.  

Jack, who has autism, said: "At first it was a bit difficult as I was trying to cope with everything and dealing with new people, but I got used to it, the people are nice, I like the work, and now I feel like I'm where I want to be."  

The Supported Internship aims to help young people with additional learning support needs to build the skills and confidence to take their next steps in life. Gaining employment has got to be the ultimate goal. Jack now hopes to continue to progress at work. 

Meet Dominic 

Dominic attended Abbey Hill Sixth Form College but felt that he wanted to progress into the world of work, but at age 18 he felt he needed some help to do so, therefore he applied for Project Choice to help him achieve his goal.  

Being diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and complex neuro-development difficulties, Dominic found social interaction difficult along with having some co-ordination difficulties.  

Dominic also struggles with anxiety often caused by classroom environments, which resulted in his attendance being below 20% during his time at school.  

At Project Choice Dominic completed all three of his work placements within the Portering Service at the University Hospital of North Tees. During his time with Portering Services, Dominic has developed and grown beyond any expectations. Dominic has continued to take on new duties and responsibilities week on week. 

Dominic now works completely independently around the hospital, completing all jobs which are radioed to him by the portering supervisors. Another success that Dominic achieved is that his attendance has significantly improved to over 90% with him never missing a day of work placement! Dominic has now secured a job within the portering service at the hospital. 

Meet Hazifa 

Hazifa attended Abbey Hill Academy Sixth Form where she completed her Pathway 2 course, she left with Functional skills Entry Level 1 in Literacy and Numeracy, Entry Level 3 in Science and Child Development and Entry Level 2 in Art.  

Hazifa moved to Stockton Riverside College and studied ICT and Employability, which included a work experience placement where she demonstrated she was quite the salesperson! 

Following this Hazifa accessed a Supported Internship at Choices College through Health Education England working for the North Tees and Hartlepool Trust.  

She initially worked at the hospital site but is now working in administration in the Learning Disabilities department. 

Rachel's loving it!

Rachel completed her catering qualifications at Stockton Riverside College before starting her Supported Internship. She completed a work placement at McDonalds followed by an interview.  

Rachel was successful and is now employed at McDonalds. A year on, Rachel has increased her weekly hours and is still employed at McDonalds and is 'loving it'! 

Find out more 

If you think a Supported Internship is the right choice for you then get in touch with our friendly team to find out more. You can contact the Special Educational Needs team by emailingsensection@stockton.gov.uk or by calling 01642 527145. 

A Supported Internship is a fantastic way for employers to help a young person with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) take their first step onto the career ladder.

They offer businesses a meaningful opportunity to shape the future of a young person with SEND. By providing a structured, supportive work placement, employers play a direct role in helping interns gain the skills, confidence and experience they need to take their first steps into employment.

These internships are designed to bridge the gap between education and the workplace. Interns spend one day a week in college and the rest in the workplace, giving them the skills, knowledge and understanding they need to perform well in their role.

A dedicated job coach works alongside the intern and your team during the early stages. As the intern becomes more confident, support is gradually reduced, but the job coach remains available whenever needed. This ensures they can develop practical skills that meet genuine business needs, while receiving the guidance required to succeed

Why should you take on a supported intern?

For employers, hosting a supported intern is not only an investment in a young person's future, but it also contributes to a more inclusive, diverse and productive workforce. Many businesses discover committed, enthusiastic interns who become valuable team members, bring fresh perspectives and enhance workplace culture.

Offering a supported internship demonstrates a commitment to social value, community engagement and equal opportunities. With the right support in place, businesses often discover committed, enthusiastic and highly capable young people who become real assets to their teams.

How much will it cost my organisation or business?

Nothing. Supported Internship placements are unpaid, as they form part of the young person's educational programme. The main goal is to help young people with SEND develop the skills they need for paid employment in the future.

Will the young person fit into my workplace?

Each intern is carefully matched to make sure their placement benefits both the young person and the organisation.We work closely with you to understand the role you can offer, ensuring the best possible match between the intern and your business. We may also recommend job carving, tailoring tasks to meet your business needs while drawing on the intern's strengths and abilities.

What support will I receive during the internship?

A job coach will work with you to organise the induction and settling‑in period and will be on hand to offer as much support as needed throughout.

The job coach will:

• support induction and settling‑in
• provide on‑the‑job guidance for both the intern and your team
• help you make reasonable adjustments
• gradually reduce support as the intern grows in confidence
• remain available throughout the internship for any questions or concerns

Disability awareness training can also be provided and Access to Work may be able to fund specialist equipment or additional workplace support if needed.

What happens if things go wrong?

Support is available from the job coach and college. Early, honest communication usually means concerns can be resolved quickly and effectively.

What happens at the end of the internship?

The aim of a Supported Internship is to prepare young people for employment. If the intern has met the needs of your business, you may wish to offer them paid employment. However, this isn't always possible. You can still support their journey by providing a reference, recommending them to other employers, and offering constructive feedback to help them develop further

Do I need special insurance?

No. Interns are covered under your existing employer's liability insurance, just like any other employee.

A Supported Internship is designed for young people who have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). It is a study programme that helps them prepare for employment by developing their skills, confidence and workplace experience so they are ready for paid work.

The college, employer and a job coach work closely together to provide support around the young person. The job coach meets regularly with the young person, the employer and the college to review progress. As a parent or carer, you are welcome to join these meetings if you have any concerns or would like to be involved.

Is there a cost for completing a Supported Internship?

No. Supported Internships are fully funded by the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA), part of the Department for Education. Colleges also work in partnership with the local authority's Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) team.

How will my young person get to their work placement?

Young people are expected to travel independently to their placement. However, support is available:

• they may be able to apply for Access to Work funding for travel training on public transport
• the college can help plan journeys and offer guidance
• the local authority may also provide travel training

What is Access to Work funding?

Access to Work is a government grant from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) that provides practical support to help disabled people work independently.

It can fund things such as British Sign Language interpreters, specialist or adapted equipment, assistive technology (for example magnifiers and screen readers), disability awareness training for employers and job coach support.

Find out more about Access to Work funding.

How are work placements found?

Colleges and the local authority work with a wide network of local employers to source suitable placements. They take into account the young person's interests, strengths, hobbies and career goals to match them to the most appropriate placement.

What if my young person doesn't like their placement?

If the placement isn't the right fit, the young person should speak to their job coach who will work with them to identify and arrange an alternative placement.

What happens at the end of a Supported Internship?

The aim of a Supported Internship is to help young people progress into paid employment. However, pathways vary including:

• many young people move into work or an apprenticeship
• some may progress to university, if they already hold the required academic qualifications
• others may choose to volunteer

Once a young person completes their Supported Internship, their Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) will usually end, as they are no longer in education, unless they move on to an apprenticeship.