Supported Internships for 16-25

A supported internship is a college study programme for 16 to 24-year-olds with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

Supported internships take one academic year, with young people spending around 70% of their time in the workplace, and the rest studying towards an employability qualification, English and/or Maths. See the NDTi's easy-read guide to supported internships.

Supported Internships are for young people who have an education, health, and care plan (EHCP) and provide:

• skills for work
• support from an expert job coach
• a personalised study programme, which may include a qualification

Eligibility

To take part in a supported internship you must:

• be aged 16 to 25 years old

• hold an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan

• want to get a paid job

Where to access supported internships

The following organisations currently provide supported internships in and around Westminster / RBKC:

• Westminster Kingsway College Pre-Internship

• City of Westminster College Pre-Internship

• West London College Pre-Internship 

• Westminster City Council with City of Westminster College

• Kensington and Chelsea Council with Morley College

• Guys and St Thomas Hospital with Choices College

• Fairshot Cafe with Mencap

• TFL Steps Into Work with The Shaw Trust

• University of West London with West London College

• Goldman Sachs with City of Westminster College

• Mencap Training Academy 

West London Alliance Guide to Supported Internships provides details of supported internship opportunities across London.

How to apply

You can apply for a supported internship directly with the education provider, by selecting a programme you're interested in. Each provider will give instructions for how to apply. If you have any questions or would like to arrange a conversation to explore post-16 options including Supported Internships contact Rachel Edwards (SEND Local Offer and Employment Pathways Lead) Email: [email protected].   

Find out about the 'pathways roadmap', which shows some of the different routes you can take after leaving school to get into a job and the courses offered locally which would develop the knowledge, skills and experiences needed to get there.