Supported Internships
What is a Supported Internship?
Supported internships are a structured, work-based study programme for 16 to 24-year-olds with SEND, who have an education, health and care (EHC) plan. The core aim of a supported internship study programme is a substantial work placement, facilitated by the support of an expert job coach.
Supported interns are enrolled and supported by a learning provider, for example, a school or college, but spend most of their learning time – typically around 70% – in a workplace.
The internships provide the opportunity for young people to achieve sustained, paid employment by equipping them with the skills they need for work, through learning in the workplace.
Supported interns are in full-time education and their supported internship work placements are part of their course.
See below our easy read guide to supported internships
Who are our partners?
Tameside College & Active Tameside
For 16-24 year olds with an EHCP (Tameside residents).
The Supported Internship is an employment led programme which gives young people with additional needs the opportunity to develop their employability skills and progress into paid employment.
The Internship takes place over one academic year during term time and is based at Active iTrain/ Tameside College. The student will be expected to go on work placement either at one of our Active sites/ Tameside Hospital or on an external placement. The student will also gain a qualification in Employability, along with completing their Maths and English.
Tameside College Supported Internships
Read some success stories below
Jeanne Hough Good News Story (Doc) Nicole Johnson Good News Story (Doc)
Choices College
Choices College is a specialist College providing tailored educational support, and a supported internship course for young adults aged 16-24 with learning difficulties and/or disabilities, and/ or Autism.
There are no academic requirements to join the Supported Internship course, however individuals will need to have an aspiration to work and a current Education, Health, and Care Plan (EHCP) in place
We partner with NHS healthcare settings, local organisations and private businesses to create supported work environments to provide real work experience for our Interns.
Our support is tailored to each Intern, based on their skills and interests.
Interns spend 1 year learning maths, English and employability skills and attend up to three, 12-week placements with a Choices College Partner.
This program has been specifically designed for young people aged 16 to 24 with special educational needs, disabilities and barriers to education and social inclusion.
Choices College
Works4U
Works4U is an appropriate provision for young people with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHC), a Personal Education Plan (PEP) or with Special Educational Needs (SEN).
Their aim is to support learners towards greater independence, employability or transition to Further/Higher Education.
This program has been specifically designed for young people aged 16 to 24 with special educational needs, disabilities and barriers to education and social inclusion.
Works4U
Internships Work National Project
Tameside Council is working hard to improve our local offer and as part of this work working with all partners involved in our internship programme we are also part of the Internship Work Programme.
This is a national initiative the purpose of which is to enable 4500 young adults, aged 16-25 with additional needs, to benefit from a supported internship per year by 2025.
The project is funded by the Department for Education and will double the current supported internship provision in England. It is designed to support more young people with additional needs to have greater choice and control over their future, opening up opportunities that prepare them for adult life and independent living.
Internships Work Easy Read (PDF) Internships Work News Release (Doc)
Employer Benefits
Simple model ensures minimal impact on business and student
No additional cost – each supported internship is government funded
Create and support a diverse workforce, gives back to the community
Provide a job coach who will support the intern and increase your confidence of employing individuals with additional needs
Increase your capacity and productivity
Allows you to shape a job role that suits both the needs of your business and the needs of the supported intern
Acts as an extended working interview, giving an increased chance of getting the right person for the job.
Become a Disability Confident Employer
Further information
For more details about our supported internship programme please visit Tameside College Supported Internships
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