Supported Internships

[TeenToTwenties]

Anyone with any experience of supported internships post college?
It has been suggested for DD next academic year, but I don't know what I don't know, so don't know what questions I should be asking about the setup.
I know they start off in college then shift gradually via 1 and 2 to 3 days working.

Some questions I would start with are:

• How long will the supported internship last? Not all last a full academic year, but they have to last for at least 6 months.
• How many days will be in the workplace? This varies and can be more than 3 days a week, e.g. some are 4 days.
• Is there help to find a host company?
• What is the likelihood of employment at the host company at the end of the supported internship?
• What do ‘their’ DC do who aren’t ’work-ready’ by the end of the supported internship?
• Will DC work towards an accredited qualification? If so, which one? Most do, but occasionally they don’t.
• What support will the job coach provide?
• Will the provider help with applying for Access to Work funding if necessary?

@BrightYellowTrain
Brilliant. Just the kind of questions I didn't know to ask about.

Once you have the basic outline, I would move on to more personal questions such as:

• If DD is unable to cope with full days, is the host company willing to allow shorter days?
• Will there be an interview? (Lots do but some don’t.) If so, as a reasonable adjustment, can DD have a copy of the questions in advance? Will there be the opportunity for a practice interview?

If you want to look at what a good supported internship model looks like, have a look at Evelyn Ashford’s Sliver Linings. Evelyn is the founder of Educational Equality and originally set up Silver Linings with her DS in mind. Since then, it has grown.

Thank you!

Just popping back to say we had a meeting with the college and it looks pretty positive. Need to discuss with DD, but DH and I are feeling pretty positive about it.

This is good to hear. Remember, if DD is changing institution in September, the LA must finalise the amended EHCP by 31st March.

Thanks. It definitely won't be a change of institution. It will be this or end education formally.

Ah, I didn’t know if the supported internship was via a different institution to the current college.

Same college, so hopefully they have some better links to suitable companies.

Dd isn't sure about 3 days a week in college for the first term, 'soft skills' don't excite her, so we need to explore that.

First term done. Gone OK. Placement lined up for January.

Hurrah! It is lovely to hear DD has made it through the first term. Good luck with the placement.

Placement going well, but not getting anywhere with jobs. Doesn't help that she can only do part time, and has limitations due to MH.