Supported Internships: The Next Steps into Work
This March, young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and their families are invited to learn more about how Supported Internships can be a pathway into meaningful employment.
An information event will take place at Dukinfield Town Hall on Wednesday 4 March, with two sessions available at 12:30pm and 5:30pm -allowing families to choose a time that suits them best. The session will offer a clear and friendly introduction to what a Supported Internship is, how the programme works in practice, and the types of support available to help young people move confidently from education into the world of work. A recorded version will also be uploaded to the Local Offer website for anyone unable to attend.
The value of Supported Internships is brought to life through the experiences of young people who have already taken part – including Emma, whose own journey highlights how structured support can help unlock the next step into paid employment.
Emma began her employment journey on the Supported Internship programme, where she gained hands‑on experience across several work placements. She particularly enjoyed the cleaning assistant role, which helped her recognise the kinds of tasks she felt confident completing and the environment she thrived in. As her internship drew to a close, Emma was referred to the Routes to Work team to help her build on her progress and find a role that matched both her skills and her aspirations.
The council’s Routes to Work Team supported resident Emma to explore her options, understand what employers might be looking for, and identify opportunities that aligned with her strengths. When a Domestic Assistant position became available, the team guided her through every stage of the application, helping her prepare interview answers, choose appropriate interview clothing and feel ready for what to expect. Emma even received support before, during and after the interview to ensure she felt comfortable and reassured throughout the entire experience.
Emma was successful at interview and was offered the position. She has now been in post for several months and is enjoying her work, continuing to grow in confidence as she settles into her role.
Reflecting on her experience, Emma said:
“My Employment Officers, Abi and Katherine, were friendly and supportive. In our meetings, we did job searching and talked about what might happen in interviews. Abi even came with me to my interview. I was buzzing when I found out I got the job!”
