Only 5.1% of adults with a learning disability known to their local authority in England are in paid work (NHS Digital, 2021). Therefore, supported internships are vital pathways to gaining employment. Following the success of the first Heart of England Forest supported internship programme last year, we have just welcomed our new intake of interns starting the programme this year. 

“The internship provided me with valuable skills and experience which then made it easier for me to get the job. Before doing the internship, I was worried about the future and how I might progress into the world of paid employment as I am a neurodiverse young person and I have found it challenging in the past to progress.” - Harry – Education Assistant, former supported intern. 

What does a supported internship programme look like?

Individuals that are completing a supported internship have access to a job coach to support them in their workplace learning. There are no entry or completion requirements for supported internships, and each learning provider will work with their supported interns to develop a person-centred programme that meets the needs of the individual. 

The aim of supported internships is to assist young people with EHC plans to gain paid employment by: 

• Supporting them to develop the skills valued by employers 

• Enabling them to demonstrate their value in the workplace 

• Developing confidence in their own abilities to perform successfully at work

The measure of success of a supported internship is a transition to sustainable and paid employment.

Supported internships in the Forest

At the Heart of England Forest, we partner on a unique training programme with ThinkForward, a local charity, who works on behalf of Warwickshire County Council to provide work placements for young people with SEND. The charity hopes to equip these young people with the relevant skills and knowledge to seek paid employment in the future, whether it is within our organisation or with other external organisations. We are advocating change and want to see more opportunities open to all.   

Supported interns at the Heart of England Forest take part in a one-year programme, spending four days a week working on a rotation basis in three different areas of the charity; forestry, horticulture, and learning and skills, to allow the individual to acquire a variety of new skills. They are also closely supported by a dedicated Job Coach. On the fifth working day, usually a Friday, the supported intern will attend their local college as part of their internship for the theory element of the programme/ qualification.

Case study: Harry Jones (Education Assistant) – former supported intern

"My name is Harry Jones. I started as a supported intern with the Heart of England Forest in September 2021. I heard about the internship through Moreton Morrell College where I attended college for one day a week.  The supported internship worked by rotating around different areas of the charity such as learning and skills, forestry, and horticulture. Me and the other supported interns spent around three months in each area, where we would work alongside staff. 
 
For example, in learning and skills I would be doing things like helping support schools’ sessions and the organisation and creation of teaching resources. For the last three weeks of the internship, I had the opportunity to choose which area I wanted to return to. I chose learning and skills as it was my favourite and I enjoyed working in it the most. 

In July 2022, I had the opportunity to apply for a permanent job at the Heart of England Forest within the learning and skills department as an Education Assistant and I was fortunate enough to get the job! 
 
For me, getting the job as an Education Assistant was an amazing opportunity that I still think I am lucky to have been offered, because it allowed me to continue working in outdoor education which is something that I found I really enjoy doing. My favourite part of this job is working with the school children that come into the Forest and helping them with outdoor activities such as den building, fire lighting, and map reading. On the days when I am working from home, I also enjoy doing research to create spotter’s sheets for species of trees, fungi, birds, mammals, and insects, to be used with the school groups. 

My future aspirations are to work in this job where I will continue to develop new skills and knowledge which will hopefully lead to me progressing within the learning and skills team. I think it is possible that I could work towards gaining a qualification or an apprenticeship in primary or outdoor education. My hope in the future is that with the charity’s support I can progress into an Outdoor Learning Officer role."

Harry’s mother, Helen, shares her thoughts on the supported internship: “The supported internship helped Harry to understand what life beyond education could look like and enabled him to take his first steps into the world of work in a genuinely inclusive and supportive environment. 

We feel very fortunate, as a family, to see Harry grow in confidence and flourish before our eyes, due to the support and encouragement that he receives from his work colleagues and the charity as a whole.” 

The value of supported internships  

The incredibly low percentage of young people with SEND in paid employment is a very sad statistic, and employers globally should be working to create a better and more inclusive world. 

The Heart of England Forest strives to be an inclusive employer and is dedicated to improving the opportunities for neurodiverse young people by continuing to offer the supported internship programme.

New interns in 2023

We recently welcomed two new supported interns who will undertake the one-year training programme with support from the charity team and our dedicated Job Coach.