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

[ForLuckyGreenDuck]

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!

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....

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.

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.

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.

Im so interested to find out more about these!

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

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.

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.

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

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

Norfolk and Suffolk people - https://www.ixionholdings.com/supported-internships/

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.

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.

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/

Amazing. Following for reference

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

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.

I've heard of it but despite enquiring to the "right" person I can't get any information on how to apply in our area!

If you are in England your local authority should have a section on their website called "local offer" and the info should be in there. You usually apply direct to the provider for these - but the ehc coordinator might be able to put you in touch.

Yes @Arran2024 they do. I've read every bit of the SEND Local Offer and they say to enquire by email to a certain person, who for two of my attempts didn't reply, third attempt they did and said she'd get back to me but did not. The deadline for applying this year came and went and I'm no clearer.
DD is doing a Level 3 course at college in September with a view to being confident enough to do a Supported Internship afterwards - IF she gets the support she needs for the next two years.

I contacted the local provider in response to this thread. They sent me a really helpful leaflet and said if we are interested the case worker needs to approach them. So we are going to pursue this in the autumn when his ehcp review is happening.

12 days to go until DD starts her SI course. And she can go happily with a shiny new Maths GCSE to add to her CV

I have but we found it hard to find someone to accept our child as they have GCSEs etc already, but they still need the support to move into work. Round here they seem to be aimed mainly at those with learning disabilities and finding info about them on college websites is like wading through mud!

does anyone know who should fund transport? The Gov website says it's full time education so I thought the LA then someone else told me it falls under access to work, but when I looked at that it didn't mention SIs and said it's just for paid employment?

Sorry no idea on transport. I would think that as everything is under an EHCP then whatever founds other things should fund transport too?

Anyway 6 days to go.what should have been a nice calm happy run up post passing maths is anything but.

2 days after results my DM had a heart attack, thankfully mild, and I have been away from home since.

Dd (anxiety, trauma, loss issues) normally copes with me being away 2 nights, but it is now 5. She is holding it together but will collapse on my return. My DF is 95 and has a patchy short term memory.

I need to get home. I need to be here. I need to sleep.

Dd's first day. I have been away since Monday and unlikely to return until Friday.
So fingers crossed it goes OK.