Supported Internships help young people aged 16-24 with an Education, Health and Care plan get into work.
Find out more about how Supported Internships make a difference
Supported internships are designed to help young people with Education, Health and Care (EHC) plans move into paid work by:
How Is a Supported Internship Different from a Traineeship or Apprenticeship?
Who’s Involved?
Supported internships are a team effort. Here’s who’s involved:
This intern, who wishes to remain anonymous, is a shining example of what young people can achieve when determination meets the right support. Today, they are thriving as a Level 4 Software Developer Apprentice with a respected tech firm however their journey started in a very different place.
When the young person first expressed an interest in working in software, they explored the idea of a Supported Internship with a specialist employer. At that time, they didn’t yet have the technical experience or confidence needed for such a specialist environment. Instead of being discouraged, they used this as motivation to grow.
They went on to complete several work‑experience programmes including an initial one‑week placement arranged through a local tech company and even enrolled themselves on an intensive coding bootcamp to build their skills from the ground up. Their perseverance, commitment, and curiosity soon began to shine through.
With support from their guidance organisation and the ongoing encouragement of the internship team, the young person returned to the Supported Internship better prepared, more confident, and ready to show what they could do. This time, they excelled.
A member of staff from the internship provider shared:
“I’ve been hugely impressed throughout this supported internship, not just by their technical ability, but by their determination, curiosity, and genuine drive to learn and succeed. With the right support, they’ve transformed from our initial interview, where they were very quiet and lacking in confidence to confidently presenting their journey to an audience of around 100 people.”
That transformation was noticed not just by staff, but by the young person’s family. A parent reflected on how far they had come:
“I am absolutely over the moon, as they have put in so much work since they first started that initial week‑long work‑experience placement. It feels so long ago now. I can’t thank you enough for the support you gave in helping to match them with the right employer and helping me support them too.”
With their confidence blossoming and their abilities developing rapidly, the employer was eager to support the young person onto the next step. They have now secured a full‑time Software Engineering Apprenticeship with a national training provider, continuing their journey within the company they have grown to love.
A representative from the employer added:
“We’re really looking forward to welcoming them full‑time as a Software Engineering Apprentice and supporting them as they take the next step in their career. A great example of what inclusive employment and the right partnerships can achieve.”
The young person is now enjoying their role, contributing to real‑world software projects, and continuing to build the foundations of a long and exciting career in tech. Their team couldn’t be happier with their progress.
Their journey shows what’s possible when employers, support agencies, families, and young people work together with a shared sense of belief and purpose. It’s also a reminder that sometimes the greatest successes come from the courage to try again and the determination to keep learning.
