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Supported Internship Programme

A Supported Internship is an unpaid structured programme offered and supported by Halesowen College. It is designed to enable people aged 16-24 with learning difficulties and/or disabilities to move into sustainable employment.

The aim of a supported internship is to:

To support young people with learning difficulties and/or disabilities to transition from education into sustainable employment.
To develop employability and personal skills relevant to the workplace.
To provide an opportunity to show their value within the workplace.
The desired outcome of the internship would be for the young person to gain
paid employment.

Employer Benefits

Team building and internal reputation

Corporate social responsibility

Diversity - improved service and fills gaps in company’s skill set

Programme Structure

The intern attends employability-based classes within college whilst working towards their maths and English qualifications.
The intern attends a work placement to gain practical experience and skills
(1-3 days a week).
The intern will be supported by a Job Coach from the Halesowen College Supported Internship team during the placement.
The placement will run for one academic year (September – June).
The interns are only expected to attend their work placement during term time.

The role of the Job Coach

The Job Coach will support the transition into the workplace by providing the following:

Initial meetings with interns and employers.
Completing initial paperwork including risk assessments, task analysis and reviews.
Supporting with any training and induction needed for the role.
Delivery of Disability Awareness Training.
On job support, which will reduce over the internship,
depending on the progress of the intern.

What we need from you as an employer

It is important that interns have a positive experience during their placement, please be certain that you are able to:

Show a willingness to support the intern in a positive and professional manner, by making reasonable adjustments, if necessary, with the guidance of the Job Coach
Provide a meaningful work placement which reflects a realistic role within
your industry
Set out clear expectations of your business to the intern and the Job Coach prior to the work-placement starting
Inform the intern and Job Coach of any upcoming changes, such as changes to working hours or duties
provide a realistic workplace induction during the first couple of weeks, with guidance from the Job Coach
identify a mentor/key person from within your company who will work closely with the intern

What training will be provided to support you

Prior to the intern starting their work-placement, the Job Coach will deliver tailored Disability Awareness Training to you. This will:

Equip you and your employees with the confidence and strategies to support employees with additional needs
Be suitable for any managers, supervisors or employees who will be working alongside the intern
Be beneficial for you to support your inclusive practice and the services you provide to disabled customers

The Job Coach will provide ongoing support and training throughout the
programme as required.

What Health & Safety needs to be considered

Prior to the intern starting, the college will need a copy of your business’s Public Liability Insurance.
The Job Coach will conduct a risk assessment relevant to the interns role within the business before placement commences.

How progress is reviewed during the programme

There are 3 review points during the programme.
We ask that the workplace mentor attends or provides feedback for these reviews to ensure smooth progression.

“Alongside The Eastside Rooms pledge to Diversity and lnclusivity the initiative just made sense. The preliminary admin work was hassle free and the ongoing support the students received throughout the placement from the college was excellent. There were nothing but mutual positives that came out of the placements at the hotel”

“The business has benefited emotionally and as a business because we have seen the team go on a journey, a journey that has helped them self-reflect and deal with the customers in a different way”

“It has been great for SkateHut to be involved. It helps us to build a workforce that reflects diversity and to explore the potential of everyone. I believe that this was as rewarding and enriching for us as it was for the interns. Bringing fresh perspective and enthusiasm, they quickly became valued members of our team”

“A great experience to be a part of. Seeing the development of the students as their time continues gives a heart warming feeling. As well as the positive for students the programme creates a number of positives for us as an organisation, which includes staff development and enjoyment, but also wide scale development as an organisation”