How to engage young people in supported internships webinar

Overview

On 10 December 2025, Internships Work hosted a webinar focused on how to engage young people in supported internships.

Speakers from local authorities, national organisations, and young people themselves shared strategies for early planning, effective communication, and creative outreach. The session highlighted the importance of collaboration between schools, families, and employers to make internships accessible and appealing.

Agenda and speakers:

Introduction, Department for Education
Engaging young people in their plans for employment, Linda Jordan, Internships Work Regional Lead for London, NDTi
Local authority example: Cornwall Council, Janine Bisson, Employment and Enterprise Team, Cornwall Council
Local authority example: Liverpool City Council, Chloe Foran, SEND Employment Support Officer, Liverpool City Council
First-hand experience: A young person’s journey, Rebecca Davies, Department for Education intern
Young people’s voice: Young Inclusion Champions, Emma Stone, NDTi intern and Young Inclusion Champion on behalf of peer support group
DFN Project SEARCH: Findings on effectively reaching young people, parents and carers, Harry Georgiou, Youth Advisory and Co-production Assistant, DFN Project SEARCH, and Lauren Davies, Head of Advocacy and Engagement, DFN Project SEARCH
Q&A

Watch the recording

Resources

Key take aways

Start early: Engagement should begin by Year 9 through Education, Health and Care Plan reviews, vocational profiling, and person-centred planning.
Joined-up messaging across services: Schools, social care, and health teams must share consistent messages about employment pathways to avoid confusion for families.
Clear information and branding: Use simple, consistent branding and accessible resources on local websites and social media to make supported internships easy to find and understand.
Social media and creative outreach: Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube are powerful for reaching young people. Local authorities shared success using videos, case studies, and even bus stop ads.
Young people’s voices matter: Hearing real stories from interns boosts confidence and interest. Peer support groups and inclusion champions help shape better engagement strategies.
Partnerships are key: Collaboration with schools, colleges, job centres, parent forums, and employers ensures joined-up messaging and wider awareness.