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National Supported Internship Day

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 National Supported Internship Day 

27th March 2024

National Supported Internship Day is the first national celebration of supported internships in the UK. It was launched in 2023 by charity DFN Project SEARCH and is held annually on 27th March.

Get involved and help transform the lives of young people with a learning disability or autism spectrum condition by raising awareness of supported internships on National Supported Internship Day.

How do I get involved?

  • Download the NSID Information Pack.
  • If you are an intern or graduate, apply to attend the official NSID Reception here
  • Celebrate your supported internships by hosting an event or posting online about it. Some ideas include: Running a coffee morning – Hold an online event to raise awareness of your programme  – Get your local MP to tweet their support for your programme – Contact your local newspaper! You can submit your entries by posting your content online with the #NationalSupportedInternshipDay or #NSID2023
  • Become an Employer Champion. Click here to learn more. 
  • You can also write to your local MP and ask them to sign this Early Day Motion recognising National Supported Internship Day. 

    However you get involved, simply raising awareness of this issue will help us reach a fairer and more equitable future for young adults with a learning disability or autism spectrum condition.

    People’s Choice Competition

    DFN Project SEARCH is excited to announce the “People’s Choice Competition,” an opportunity for sites to showcase their creativity, teamwork, and engagement. The competition encourages sites to get as creative as possible in spreading the word about their unique supported internship offer. The site with the most votes will receive a prize.

    Competition Rules:

    Any pictures/videos must have consent from those within the image.

    Eligibility:

    Open to all DFN Project SEARCH sites.

    Entry Requirements:

    Develop a creative way to showcase your site. Whether that be a highlight of the sites achievements, impact or beyond.
    You can write a story, take pictures or videos of you in action, host an event, create a dance, paint a picture or beyond. The world is your creative oyster. Last year, a site climbed three Wainwright summits to raise awareness of their work!

    Spread the Word:

    • Utilise your steering committee and their connections, social media, newsletters, and other channels to promote your site and the competition to encourage votes from all of your connections as a partnership.
    • Sites are encouraged to get creative in their promotion efforts, showcasing their unique spirit. The more creative, the more votes you may receive from your connections!

    Voting:

    • Voting will take place online during the designated voting period via the voting form below.
    • Each person voting is allowed one vote.
    • Voters can be anyone including people within your community, Department, Managers and Mentors as well as families parents and carers.

    Submission Process:

    Submit your entry by simply using the hashtag #NSID24 when posting your showcase online, or by emailing us your submission to roberta.kirosingh@dfnprojectsearch.org.

    Click here to vote or scan the QR code below

     

    FAQ’s

    What’s a supported internship?

    A 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.

    How do they work?

    Supported interns are enrolled and supported by a learning provider, for example, a school or college, but spend most of their learning time in a workplace.

    Supported interns are in full-time education, and their supported internship work placement are part of their course. There is no legal requirement or expectation that the supported intern will be paid.

    What are the benefits of offering a supported internship?

    They have a transformative effect on the interns who take part. They offer real work experience combined with training in employability and independent living skills delivered in a business setting to help young people make successful transitions to productive adult life.

    They also offer several economic benefits to the employers, providing access to a new, diverse talent stream with skills to match labour needs.