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Original poster

Parents of SEND teents/young adults: have you heard of supported internships?

41 replies

ForLuckyGreenDuck · 15/07/2025 15:06

My son has graduated from a supported internship and is now in employment, we never thought this would happen as he is 21 and non-verbal autistic. I think these programmes are the best kept secret in the country! Have you heard of a supported internship and would you send your child to one?

If not, what other options have you explored getting your SEND child into employment!

OP posts:
EssentialDecluttering · 17/07/2025 08:24

Yes, our LA rep (Hampshire) came to DS's y9 or 10 (can't remember) annual review and suggested these. DS didn't end up doing one but went to university, he has a seasonal summer job now but nothing permanent so we need to look again at some of these support organisations if he has no luck via the conventional application route. He has held down a few p/t / volunteer roles so has got a reasonable CV.

Great to hear of them working out well for YP.

Notonthestairs · 17/07/2025 07:57

Hadn’t heard of this - will definitely check with my child’s college. Thank you.

HeBeaverandSheBeaver · 16/07/2025 22:57

Amazing. Following for reference

Escapefrom1984 · 16/07/2025 22:29

Maybe look via your local authority eg Camden offers this guidance and list of providers:

https://families.camden.gov.uk/send-local-offer/education-and-employment/supported-internships/

Arran2024 · 16/07/2025 21:47

Arran2024 · 16/07/2025 21:22

Yes. My daughter did Project Search at a local hospital https://www.dfnprojectsearch.org/

She didnt get a job at the end of it - her epilepsy flared up - but many of the yp on the course did. Some got jobs in the pharmacy!

Other options include the King's Trust and the Shaw Trust.

Fearfulsaints · 16/07/2025 21:31

TeenToTwenties · 16/07/2025 21:18

This is how DD's college does it.

Sept-Dec 3 days in college working on employability and life skills. Assistance to find internship. Parents and young person work with college to identify target businesses based on individual desires/skills, college makes the approaches.

Jan onwards. Hopefully 2-3 days in placement, 1 day in college. Job coach goes to placement regularly for feedback and then coaches in days in college. Placement is aimed for minimum number hours (300?)

Ideally it converts to a proper job by end June. If not I think college would hope to assist further.

Edited
Show quote history

Thank you.

My son (with an ehcp) has a really specific interest and wants to work in that field so support to find jobs in that would be great!

I think people would be nervous to employ an autistic person with no traditional qualifications but this might encourage them to try him out.

TeenToTwenties · 16/07/2025 21:20

English and maths for life included, not working to qualification.

TeenToTwenties · 16/07/2025 21:18

Fearfulsaints · 16/07/2025 21:10

Im so interested to find out more about these!

Can you get support to about internship in anything or are they set pathways.

This is how DD's college does it.

Sept-Dec 3 days in college working on employability and life skills. Assistance to find internship. Parents and young person work with college to identify target businesses based on individual desires/skills, college makes the approaches.

Jan onwards. Hopefully 2-3 days in placement, 1 day in college. Job coach goes to placement regularly for feedback and then coaches in days in college. Placement is aimed for minimum number hours (300?)

Ideally it converts to a proper job by end June. If not I think college would hope to assist further.

MabelsBeats · 16/07/2025 21:13

I did not know about these so thank you for flagging. DD is only just off to seniors in September so too young at the moment, but it’s great to know things like this exist. She’s had an EHCP since she was in infants.

Fearfulsaints · 16/07/2025 21:10

Im so interested to find out more about these!

Can you get support to about internship in anything or are they set pathways.

TeenToTwenties · 16/07/2025 21:09

Dd's college runs 20 per year.

10 for DC from the foundation unit (entry level) and 10 for DC who have done level 1/2/3 qualifications.

WinteringTheStorm · 16/07/2025 21:04

I have 2 DC with ASD diagnoses who have EHCPs. One is 18 and is about to do a level 3 course at a creative college and the other is 14 and had to leave his specialist school as his mental health got very bad as a result of bullying he was suffering at that school. He’s receiving the truly terrible temporary education package which is on offer.

We don’t know what the future holds for either of them. They’re genuinely lovely people who are quite bright and have good skills. I’m going to look into supported internships - I’ve never heard of them.

FlamingoLlama · 16/07/2025 21:02

Ambitious About Autism are a great charity to keep an eye on https://www.ambitiousaboutautism.org.uk/

My DS applied for one of their civil service internships and didn't get it, but he did have someone go through his CV and do a mock interview as part of the process.

Home | Ambitious about Autism

Ambitious about Autism is the national charity for autistic children and young people. We stand with autistic children, young people and their families to champion rights, campaign for change and create opportunities.

https://www.ambitiousaboutautism.org.uk

TeenToTwenties · 16/07/2025 20:58

Yes! But I agree they are a well kept secret.
They are for DC with EHCPs only.
You have to know they exist to find out about them. It was only because I knew DD's college did them that I could even find a page on their website about it.

DD is going to start one in September. For her it will succeed or fail based on what work placement they can find....

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