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!

Have seen DD's timetable. One 'heavy' afternoon of maths, English and IT skills.
The other 2.5 days are CVs, interviewing, teamworking, business research and visits and volunteering. Certainly varied, with trips out at least once a week which will be tiring for her I think but hopefully OK. Need to make sure she has some heavy duty gloves that actually fit her tiny hands.

Is she doing 3 days already? Mine only has one day atm. Morning job related stuff, afternoon english and maths. I assume they don't up the days until they secure a job placement. It's interesting that different places obviously run it differently.

@LlamaNoDrama DD has 3 days in college until Christmas. Then from January she has 1 day in college and 2 or so days placement hopefully.

DD has a trip out today. We have arranged with college to pick her up from that, rather than her going through our location then another 30mins to college just to get a bus back. She is massively struggling emotionally so she'll be home a couple of hours earlier this way.

DD has interview next week for a placement .... watch this space.

I hope all goes well for her. My ds does too, but it's a role that's been advertised as a voluntary role anyway so I'm feeling a bit unsure about how that will lead to any job offer.

That's where we have ended up. The first placement was pottering on, paperwork being done, then suddenly last week it wasn't.

She does now have a placement starting mid January, but as for you it is in a volunteer position. However it will improve fitness and other skills which will be helpful when applying for proper jobs.

7.30am start however!!

I shall chat to myself I expect, but DD is really enjoying her work placement. She is doing 2 days a week, plus a week at college. She has survived the pouring rain and dark starts throughout January and is settled in. She is doing working in a gardens and is now considering horticulture related jobs.

How is your DS @LlamaNoDrama ?

Well done her, that’s amazing, she sounds really settled, it must have been tough through the winter months. I hope she’s now enjoying the lighter mornings and slightly less cold weather!

He's ok thank you. He's only managing a few hours over two days in work atm. The college threatened to chuck him off the course initially due to this but seemed to have backed off a bit now. Im not sure if it's because I involved the local authority or because he does a good job when at work and they've been pleased with his speed and accuracy and want to train him on other things now. I'm just relieved he's still there. I've no idea what will he will do after this though. If he gets a job and requires access to work we've been told it's a 38 week just for an assessment.

I'm pleased your dd is doing so well.

Glad things are going ok-ish at least.

Dd is getting despondent about being turned down for jobs without interview even for 'no prior experience needed', it is such a numbers game. She'd be great in the right place, but finding that place is so hard.

We haven't got as far as applying for any jobs yet but same here. Ds would be a real asset to anyone who gives him a chance. But getting that chance.....

Good to hear the updates. Since I posted last summer DS (who did not do a supported internship in the end but went to uni) has found a permanent PT job, through his sister who had been working at the same place, she heard there was a vacancy and put a word in, but he still did a full cover letter and CV. He has been applying for full time jobs and apprenticeships but selectively as each application takes him ages and needs quite a lot of support from me with proofreading. He has had a couple of interviews so we feel there is some progress, the most important things have been really tailoring the applications, seizing relevant volunteering opportunities wherever possible and sticking with them, and networking. He has also got his LinkedIn profile set up and trying to follow as many relevant organisations as possible (I am following them all on FB too so I spot opportunities as well).

the most important things have been really tailoring the applications, seizing relevant volunteering opportunities wherever possible and sticking with them, and networking.

We are really trying with this too.

One big issue is DD doesn't drive, and public transport is too sporadic so it cuts down what seems viable (especially as I am away randomly due to elderly parents)

Just need to keep plugging away I guess.

Half term now. Have a plan for next year, a bit unexpected but:

Hopes to continue at her work placement 3 days a week, unpaid, but on an official 'student placement' where they will properly train her in horticulture. In theory there is a paid full time internship possibility but we don't think she could cope.

It's not animals, but the gardens environment suits her and is less than 10mins drive.

Overall my view on the SI
. work placement has been great but couldn't get an 'in' to desired area
. the promised maths/English/IT skills has been hopeless
. haven't got a paid job, but do have a potential future direction
. 70% successful