Supported Internships in B&NES | Live Well in Bath & North East Somerset

What is a Supported Internship?

Supported interns are in full-time education supported by a learning provider, for example, a school or college, but spend most of their learning time—typically around 70%—in a workplace as part of their course.

Supported Internships are available to young people aged 16-24 years with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).

The intention is to support young people with SEND gain the necessary skills to gain paid employment once their internship is completed.

The Supported Internship in B&NES project hopes to achieve the following key outcomes:

Increased numbers of supported internship opportunities in the region
A support and information network for employers and organisations supporting supported employment
Increased numbers of young people with EHCP's entering employment
Information, guidance and support for parents, carers and professionals supporting young people with EHCP's moving towards employment.

What do young people achieve from a supported internship?

Develop skills valued by employers
Develop confidence in their own abilities to perform successfully at work
Enable them to demonstrate their value in the workplace
Provide the opportunity for young people to achieve sustained, paid employment by equipping them with the skills they need for work through learning in the workplace.

As part of the national Internships Work programme, Bath and North East Somerset has received a grant from the Department for Education to develop our SEND Employment Forum and increase the number of Supported Internships in our area.

How can I find out more?

For more information or to get started email supported_internships@bathnes.gov.uk.

What Supported Internships are currently available in B&NES?

Project Search - Finding Futures

Project Search – a Finding Futures programme

Project Search is a supported internship programme committed to transforming the lives of young adults with SEND by equipping them with the experience, skills, and support they need to enter the world of paid employment and begin exciting careers. The programme is run by Finding Futures, a specialist further education college in B&NES.

Project SEARCH partners with employers such as Royal United Hospitals of Bath and University of Bath amongst others; these employers are at the forefront of inclusive recruitment and workplace practice, and offer work placements across a vast array of different roles including catering, administration, childcare and much more.

Find out more about Project Search here (pages 1 to 4).

If you would like to find out more about Project Search and other Finding Futures programmes such as the new ‘Works for You’ pre-internship programme, please explore www.finding-futures.co.uk or send the team an email at info@finding-futures.co.uk.

You can also find out more by following Finding Futures on Facebook.

Bath College Supported Internships

Supported Internships at Bath College provide a structured and supported pathway to employment for learners aged 16-24 with Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs and SEND.

Learners must have an EHCP and be able to travel independently.

Learners attend work experience placements Monday to Thursday:

Engaging in real-world placements tailored to their interests
Gaining experience in different organisations during the internship (rotations)
Developing practical skills, gain workplace experience, and build confidence in a supportive environment
Work placements will be supported by Job Coaches from Discovery Job Coaching Agency

Employability sessions take place on Fridays:

Instructor-led sessions aimed at developing essential job skills
Covering a range of topics including CV writing, interview techniques, workplace communications, time management, and problem-solving skills
Interactive session, tailored to the specific needs and aspirations of the learners

For more information and to apply email info@bathcollege.ac.uk or call 01225 312 191.

Somer Valley Skills Pathway

Somer Valley Skills Pathway is designed for individuals aged 16 - 24 who have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) or other additional needs, the programme aims to bridge the gap between education and employment. Participants will gain hands-on experience in their local communities—including B&NES, Radstock, Frome, and the wider Somer Valley area—while developing essential skills such as CV writing, interview preparation, and workplace confidence.

Works For You

Finding Futures are developing a new offer called 'Works for You' - a study programme intended to offer a wider cohort of young people the chance to embark on an employment-focused pathway.

Works for You is for young people who need a bit more time, specialised support, and quality work experiences in order to build the solid foundations and independence needed to succeed on a supported internship such as Project SEARCH.

Offering a one to two-year pathway that allows for the wider Preparing for Adulthood aims to be narrowed down towards an employment-focused outcome in a supported, measured, purposeful way (otherwise, for some young people, the 'jump' from school/college to supported internship can be significant).

Ideal for any young people who aren't quite ready for a supported internship, but who with a year or two of specialised support could get there. It may be that more support is needed with: learning about the world of work/initial work experiences, developing the independence and personal safety skills needed for the workplace, building confidence/resilience/stamina, identifying aspirations and building motivation, navigating health needs in the workplace, to name just a few areas.

Find out more about Works for You here (pages 5 and 6).

If you would like to find out more about Works for You and other Finding Futures programmes such as ‘Project SEARCH’, please explore www.finding-futures.co.uk or send the team an email at info@finding-futures.co.uk.