Could your school offer a one term work placement to a student with SEND?

About the internship programmes

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.

Ealing currently hosts 3 supported internship programmes:

• a Choices College programme hosted by the NHS Headquarters
• a DFN Project Search programme hosted by the University of West London
• a Mencap programme hosted by Wincanton Greenford.

These programmes have proved successful for progression into employment, as they offer young people the chance to experience real work environments. During the year of the programme, the young people are placed on various jobs offered by the host business (e.g. reception, catering, library, HR, estates, etc.).

We would like to increase the range of job rotations offered to interns and ideally identify external (to the host business) opportunities as well. The average duration of a job rotation is one term and interns and potential managers are supported by job coaches to make the placement successful.

Primary school work placement

A couple of our current interns have expressed an interest for working with children and we would like to encourage primary schools to offer a one term work placement. Not only they can bring a new perspective to work environments, but interns can be great role models for your pupils with SEN needs!

Take a look at the videos below from 2 of our programmes:

Further information

If you want to find out more or discuss what is involved, please get in touch with Coni Buzuleac, SEND Employment Pathway Advisor, buzuleacc@ealing.gov.uk or 0208 825 5002.