Rose Jones
24Rose – 24 years old, undertook a SI in Asda – Bakery & Pizza Counter.
Supported Internships. Real Opportunities
Unlocking talent and enabling careers through supported internships for young people.
Are you finding getting a job challenging? Want to work but don’t know where to start? Need help overcoming the barriers into employment?
Moving from education into work can feel difficult and sometimes scary. Some job opportunities can seem out of reach, especially if you don’t have the right support and guidance around you. And it’s hard to know what to expect if you’ve never had a job before!
We’re here to help you move from education into employment with personalised support that’s built around you.
DFN Project SEARCH provided an unmissable opportunity to get my foot through the door into the industry that I have always wanted to work in.
– Adam, Intern and YAG member
What is a supported internship?
A supported internship combines learning with on-the-job experience
A supported internship is a work-based study programme that helps you move from education into employment. You’ll be placed in a real workplace, where you’ll learn on the job with support from a job coach. But you’ll also spend some time with a tutor, learning knowledge and skills that help prepare you for work. For example, you might learn how to budget money or how to write a CV and cover letter.
Gain real on-the-job experience
Build confidence and independence
Explore different career paths
Develop employability skills
Progress into paid employment
What will you do on your supported internship?
A supported internship usually takes one year to complete.
During your internship, you’ll:
Complete three rotations in different job roles
Gain professional experience by doing real tasks
Learn essential life and employability skills
Discover your strengths, interests & career goals
Is a supported internship for you?
Our supported internship programme is for young people who:
Are aged 16-24
Have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) or equivalent
Have a learning disability and/or are autistic
Want to move into paid employment but would benefit from extra support
What support will you get?
You’ll have dedicated support from a job coach who will work with you, your employer and your tutor to make sure you have what you need to succeed. This team of supporting adults will also help you to understand your progress and feel more confident as you develop your skills for work.
A job coach
You’ll be supported by an expert job coach to guide you throughout your supported internship journey. They’ll work with you to identify your strengths, interests and career goals, and will help you to navigate the working world as you’re learning ‘on the job’.
A tutor
Your tutor will support you with the learning side of your supported internship. The bulk of your time will be spent working in a real job and doing real tasks, but you’ll also spend some time building important knowledge and skills that are linked to your job.
An employer
Alongside your job coach, your colleagues will manage and mentor you across different job roles to build your skills and confidence while you find out what working life is really like.
Find a supported internship near me
Check out our interactive map to find a DFN Project SEARCH supported internship programme near you
Search by postcodeHear from interns.
Want to hear from young interns about their supported internship journeys? Check out their stories.
Subhan Hameed
Subhan Hameed began his journey with DFN Project SEARCH in August 2021, during a challenging period marked by Covid-19 restrictions. Despite these circumstances, he adapted quickly to a blended learning approach that combined college attendance with online classes.