Supported Internship
Course code: X0004
Is this course right for me?
The aim of supported internships is to support young people with EHC plans to gain paid employment by:
- supporting them to develop the skills valued by employers.
- enabling them to demonstrate their value in the workplace.
- developing confidence in their own abilities to perform successfully at work.
Students will gain work-related experience, with the intended aim of them moving into paid employment or to support progression to an alternative placement with a view to build their personal skills further and gain paid employment in future.
Placements will be selected based on individual student’s interests and career aspirations where possible.
Throughout the programme students will develop their employability skills and gain valuable experience by working with local organisations.
They will attend college to work towards Maths and English qualifications which meet their ability level. Students will gain transferable employability skills to enhance their likelihood of longer-term sustained employment.
At the start of the programme students will undertake an initial review which will inform the learning programme, assess their starting points, and identify any gaps in learning.
- During the programme students will:
- Gain real work experience.
- Have the support of the job coach.
- Continue learning by attending college on at least two days per week.
- Work towards Maths and English qualifications
Throughout the programme students will develop their employability skills and gain valuable experience by working with local organisations.
They will attend college to work towards Maths and English qualifications which meet their ability level. Students will gain transferable employability skills to enhance their likelihood of longer-term sustained employment.
Course details
Entry Requirements:
Students must have an EHCP to be eligible for the Supported Internship programme.
They must have a strong willingness to be employed and the motivation to learn in a workplace environment. Students will have been able to demonstrate prior experience in an employment context. Ideally, they will be working towards at least Level 1 or 2 English and maths qualifications.
They will have some employment related experience and will have been assessed to show a basic level of employability-related skills in the following areas:
- Problem-solving and personal resilience
- Communication
- English and Maths
- Working with others
- Working independently, following instructions and self-regulation
- Digital ICT skills
Usually, students will have completed a Futures course prior to being considered for the Supported Internship programme.
What will I learn?
At the start of the programme students will undertake an initial review which will inform the learning programme, assess their starting points and identify any gaps in learning.
During the internship students will:
- Gain real work experience with an employer/ several employers
- Have the support of the job coach in the workplace
- Continue learning by attending college one day per week
- Work towards Maths and English qualifications
What skills will I gain?
The internship will enable students to:
- Develop their personal motivation, confidence and resilience
- Develop problem-solving skills and self-regulation strategies
- Gain an understanding of performance and behaviour required in the workplace
- Comply with workplace requirements such as time keeping and dress code
- Learn how to follow instructions and complete set tasks
- Carry out new tasks as their confidence and ability increases
How will I be assessed?
At the start of the programme students will have an initial assessment to review their starting points, aspirations and personal goals, and will be assessed on an ongoing basis against their baselines.
Tutors will agree targets with the student to enable them to work towards meeting any Educational, Health Care Plan outcomes that they might have. They will be assessed against a Recognising and Recording Progress and Achievement (RARPA) framework and, along with parents/carers where appropriate, will meet with their tutor on a termly basis to review progress towards personal outcomes, and to look forward to advancing towards the next steps.
Students will study qualifications in maths and English which may be internally or externally assessed. Ongoing assessment by the job coaches will assess work skills.
What can I do next?
All students who access this programme will want to be in employment at the end of the course of study and will be supported to get there.
Completion of the programme will enable students to:
- Develop the skills to progress to employment in a preferred industry
- Carry out voluntary work
Staff at the college will work with families, Local Authority representatives and other professionals working with the student to enable them to make informed choices about their future. Also information, advice and guidance will be provided during the course to support students to understand the steppings stones which will support them to achieve their goals.
If necessary, students will be supported to make relevant Access to Work applications which will enable them to continue to have support in the workplace if required.
Please note; Once the Supported Internship programme has finished, should an employment placement be acquired the EHCP plan will cease.
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