Supported internships
A supported internship is a structured further education (FE) study programme of up to one year.
They are provided by FE settings for young people with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).
The focus of a supported internship programme is to help young people aged 17 to 24 with SEND transition from education into paid employment.
As this is a transition from education, it means your EHCP will cease at the end of a supported internship.
You can read more about the ceasing of an EHCP.
Supported internships inside Hounslow
In Hounslow, we have supported internship offers with DFN Project SEARCH and Ealing Mencap.
These are delivered with several employers and are targeted to young people with SEND who want to finish their last year of education and progress onto paid work.
DFN Project SEARCH
Our DFN Project SEARCH supported internship programme helps you transition into work.
It aims to support young people with a learning disability, autism or both, into full-time (16+ hours) paid employment.
You can get the latest updates and apply for DFN Project SEARCH supported internships on the main Hounslow Council website.
To contact the DFN Project SEARCH team:
- email: projectsearch@hounslow.gov.uk
- phone:
- Nicky Bitar: 07989348958
- Aman Kaur: 07837585735
Ealing Mencap
Ealing Mencap has partnered with DFN Project SEARCH to offer a supported internship for young people aged 18 to 24 years old.
The internship is based at the University of West London.
You can learn more about this supported internship on the Ealing Mencap website.
The Royal Mencap Society
The Royal Mencap Society is a charity that supports people with a learning disability, their families and carers.
The Mencap Training Academy is a specialist post-16 provider delivering supported internships. Mencap’s supported internship programme offers education and training to 16 to 24-year-olds with a learning disability who have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).
You can learn more about Mencap’s supported internships on the Mencap website.
Supported internships outside Hounslow
Shaw Trust
The Shaw Trust’s goal is to help their interns find and keep employment. They work with a range of employers across the UK to provide the best work experience possible.
You can learn more on their website:
West London Alliance
The West London Alliance supported employment programme offers supported internships for young people with special education needs and disabilities (SEND). Over 70% of graduates from the programme move into paid jobs.
You can learn more on their website:
You can learn more about supported internships on the GOV.UK website.
