This guide provides information about options for young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) to help them move into paid employment.
The law says that all young people must be in education or training until at least their 18th birthday. This might be:
- full time education in a study programme for young people over 16 (including a supported internship)
- volunteering or a paid job, with part-time study
- a traineeship
Supported internships are for young people with SEND, aged 16 to 24 who have an EHCP and would like to move into employment.
They are types of study programme that help young people with SEND to learn the skills they need to get a job. What makes it different is that young people do most of their learning at work on the job supported by an expert job coach.
What a supported internship involves
Supported internships are structured, work-based programmes that will last at least six months. Internships are personalised to the needs of the young person. They don't need any qualifications to do one, but commitment to find paid employment is very important.
Young people won't get paid, but should be supported to find a paid job at the end and will benefit from the skills they gain. Your child may also study for qualifications that will help them move into work, as well as English or maths if they don't have a grade C or four at GCSE.
Visit the Preparing for Adulthood website for more information about supported internships Go to https://www.preparingforadulthood.org.uk/downloads/supported-internships (opens new window)
Where you can do a supported internship in Bristol
Your child can do a supported internship in Bristol with:
- Project Search at City of Bristol College Go to http://www.cityofbristol.ac.uk/courses/supported-internship/project-search/ (opens new window)
- Into Catering at City of Bristol College Go to http://www.cityofbristol.ac.uk/courses/supported-internship/into-catering/ (opens new window)
- Bristol Supported Internship programme (the above 3 are City of Bristol College) Go to http://www.cityofbristol.ac.uk/courses/supported-internship/bristol-supported-internship-programme-b-sip/ (opens new window)
- Mencap Go to https://www.mencap.org.uk/interns-and-outcomes (opens new window)
Who can help your child choose the most suitable internship
Your school SENCo (Special Educational Needs Coordinator) will be able to talk to you and your child to see what kind of supported internship might be right for them.
A traineeship:
- is a course with work experience that gets you ready for work or an apprenticeship
- can last up to six months
- offers young people support to improve their Maths and English alongside training
You don't need an EHC plan to do a traineeship.
If your child has an EHC plan:
- it stays with them while they're doing a traineeship
- the provider of the traineeship will be named in the plan and they must meet the needs specified in your child's plan
Young people can apply if they:
- are aged between 16 and 24
- are qualified below Level three Go to https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels (opens new window) (below A level)
- have limited work experience
Where you can find out more about traineeships
Search for a traineeship Go to https://www.gov.uk/find-traineeship (opens new window) near you on the GOV.UK website, which also has information to help your child decide if they might be suitable Go to https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/traineeships-are-they-for-me (opens new window).
You can also contact your local college or training provider to see if they're offering traineeship opportunities.
Apprenticeships:
- generally combine training in a job with study
- are available at different levels, from level two to seven
- can take between one and five years to complete, depending on the level
Apprentices work alongside experienced staff and earn a wage.
EHC plans
If your child has an EHC plan, they can keep it while on an apprenticeship. The provider of the apprenticeship will be named in your child's plan and this will be reviewed annually.
In some cases, the provider can apply to the Education Skills and Funding Agency directly for funding, such as if they can't pay for your child's additional needs through core funding.
How to apply
Your child can apply for an apprenticeship while they're still at school or when they're in college. To start one, they'll need to be:
- 16 or over by the end of the summer holidays
- living in England
- not in full time education
Apprenticeships are advertised:
- on the government's apprenticeship website Go to https://www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship (opens new window)
- on our apprenticeships site
- for Reflections training academy Go to https://www.reflectionstraining.co.uk/hairdressing-apprenticeship-bristol-birmingham/ (opens new window) (hairdressing and barbering)
Disability Rights UK has written a guide on apprenticeships for disabled people.
More information
About apprenticeships on our Apprenticeships site
The GOV.UK website Go to https://www.gov.uk/education/apprenticeships-traineeships-and-internships (opens new window) has more information on apprenticeships.
Volunteering means giving your time and skills to help others without being paid. It could help your child gain experience so they're able to get a job.
Scope has information on the benefits of volunteering Go to https://www.scope.org.uk/advice-and-support/volunteering-develop-your-skills/ (opens new window).
How to find volunteering opportunities
Your child can find work experience or volunteering placements by contacting the organisation or workplace they'd like to volunteer with.
Whizz Kidz can help you find work placements and work skills days Go to http://www.whizz-kidz.org.uk/get-our-help/young-people/work-placements (opens new window) if your child uses a wheelchair.
What support your child can get on a volunteering placement
If your child is disabled, their rights are protected under the Equalities Act 2010. This means an organisation should not discriminate against them based on their disability and should consider how they can make reasonable adjustments to accommodate them in a volunteer placement.
- The Equality and Human Rights Commission has information on how organisations should treat volunteers Go to https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/en/advice-and-guidance/how-your-organisation-should-treat-volunteers (opens new window).
- Government Guidance - Equality Act 2010: What do I need to know? A summary guide for voluntary and community sector service providers Go to https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/85028/vcs-service-providers.pdf (opens new window)
Young people with a disability or health condition who are on or about to start a work experience placement in a support internship or traineeship can apply to the Department for Work and Pensions' Access to Work Go to https://www.gov.uk/access-to-work (opens new window) fund for:
- funding travel to and from their work placement
- the costs of job coaches
- specialist equipment for days that a young person is at the employer's workplace
The Preparing for adulthood website Go to https://www.preparingforadulthood.org.uk/downloads/supported-internships/access-to-work-fund.htm (opens new window) has more information about the Access to work grant.
Bursaries of up to £1200 are also available for students in further education, training or unpaid apprenticeships. The GOV.UK website Go to https://www.gov.uk/1619-bursary-fund (opens new window) has information on what's available, eligibility and how to apply.
Personal independence payment (PIP) Go to https://www.gov.uk/pip (opens new window) is for people who need help taking part in everyday life or who find it difficult to get around.
