Supported internships aim to offer young people aged 16-24 with a learning difficulty or disability – including those on the Autistic Spectrum – the opportunity to develop their employability skills and gain confidence, ready for the workplace. These are ‘real-life’ opportunities where most of the learning takes place in a work environment.
The placements can last between six months and two years, offering the chance for the young person to be supported until they are ready to move on.
Supported internships are classed as study programmes and aren’t paid. A statement of special educational needs (SEN) or education, health and care (EHC) plan is needed but benefits aren’t affected.
Supported internships providers across Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire
Below is a list of some of the providers of supported internships across Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire
- Landmarks Specialist College – although their main base is in Eckington they cover Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and South Yorkshire and support people where they live. They have just opened a base in West Bridgford, Nottingham
- Portland College
- Nottingham College
- Project Search – based at Nottingham City Hospital
- Vision West Nottinghamshire College
- Chesterfield College
For more information please visit National Development Team for Inclusion for resources in preparing for adulthood. Contact your local authority for providers near to you and for more information on supported internships locally (search online for ‘local offer’).
Read our blog post Supported internships: helping to bridge the gap for young people with disabilities looking for work