System-level actions you can take
To improve awareness and engagement with supported internships, local authorities should focus on embedding them as a mainstream post-16 study option. This means ensuring supported internships are introduced early, from Year 9, as part of planning, and promoted equally alongside other college courses and apprenticeships. Careers advisers, EHCP coordinators, and SEND teams should be equipped with clear information and resources to help families understand that supported internships are a structured study programme.
Local authorities also play a key role in strengthening collaboration between schools and FE providers. Facilitating joint planning meetings, encouraging shared curriculum development, and promoting examples of good practice can help ensure smoother transitions and better outcomes for young people. Crucially, success should be measured by meaningful outcomes—such as job retention and intern satisfaction—rather than just numbers enrolled. One practical tool to support this is vocational profiling, which helps identify a young person’s strengths, interests, and support needs. Access NDTi’s vocational profile resource.
Using vocational profiles early in the process helps tailor supported internships to individual needs and increases the likelihood of sustained, positive outcomes.
System-level actions you can take:
- Include supported internships in Year 9 transition planning and local SEND strategies.
- Ensure careers advisers and EHCP coordinators promote SIs as a mainstream post-16 study option.
- Facilitate joint planning between schools and FE providers to improve continuity and curriculum alignment.
- Track and share meaningful outcomes (e.g. job retention, satisfaction), not just enrolment numbers.
- Use vocational profiling to tailor internships to young people’s strengths and aspirations: NDTi Vocational Profile.
Awareness and Engagement Activities
While system-level changes are essential for long-term impact, increasing awareness and engagement in the short term is important. Until supported internships are fully recognised as a mainstream post-16 study option, local authorities can take practical steps to raise visibility, build understanding, and encourage participation among young people and their families.
Below are real-life examples, proven approaches, and practical suggestions to help local areas boost awareness, participation, and success in Supported Internships.
Principles for effective engagement
To successfully engage young people and families, local authorities should embed the following principles across all services:
- Start early with Preparation for Adulthood (PfA):
- Promote employment-focused aspirations from the early years, not just at post-16.
- Plan with purpose from year 9 and use vocational profiling and set employment-focused outcomes in EHCPs.
- Collaborate Strongly:
- Partner with parent/carer forums to co-host information sessions and address concerns about benefits and job readiness.
- Build trusted relationships between schools, local authority teams, and post-16 providers.
- Use your employment forum to steer strategic action plans.
- Use youth-friendly platforms: Use TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook to share short videos and graphics. Co-create content with young people who have lived experience to ensure authenticity.
- Share clear, accessible information: Ensure families understand how work and benefits interact, and what employment support exists.
- Train the Workforce: Everyone working with young people should understand employment pathways and supported internships.
- Provide High-Quality, Individualised Careers Advice: Guidance should be adapted to the specific needs, strengths and aspirations of each young person.
- Promote Employer Engagement: Offer taster sessions, short work experience placements, and involve employers in school career events.
What’s working across local areas
Cheshire West and Chester: Summer Work Tasters
- They run summer holiday work placements and taster sessions, giving young people early exposure to workplace environments and raising awareness of supported internships in a hands-on way.
Worcestershire: Removing Barriers Through Partnership and Incentives
- Local SI Grant: Up to £1,000 available per placement to cover support costs – helping overcome financial barriers.
- DWP Partnership: Each supported internship programme was linked with a DEA (Disability Employment Adviser) from DWP to support access and planning. This is currently on pause due to DWP capacity.
- Changing Mindsets: Initial resistance from mainstream schools was overcome using progression data to show the value of supported internships.
- Parent and Carer Events: Regular events bringing together post-16 support services to inform families and build trust.
Liverpool: Youth-Friendly Pre-Internship Approaches
- Pre-Internship Programme: Led by employers and designed to be engaging and accessible.
- Awareness Raising: Ran sessions in young people’s environments for example video game establishments.
- Incentives for Participation: Gym memberships and other small benefits kept engagement high.
- Smart Publicity: Free bus stop advertising created broad awareness of supported internships across the city.
- Inclusive Delivery: Used a third-sector provider (The Learning Foundry) to support diverse needs in a non-college environment.
Cornwall: Bringing Employment Conversations to Life
- Pizza-Making Roadshow: A fun, interactive workshop that travelled to schools and events, helping young people and families think about work-related skills and move conversations forward on employment.
- Summer Family Events: Ideal opportunity to link creative activities with supported internships awareness at family days and short breaks.
Practical tips for local authorities
- Host interactive family events linked to the world of work (e.g. cooking, music, sports)
- Use data to challenge assumptions and change attitudes – in mainstream and special schools
- Embed SI promotion in all transition planning and SEND reviews
- Commission mobile, engaging providers to run taster activities and roadshows
- Create visuals and stories – showcase young people who have thrived in SIs
- Collaborate with social care, youth justice, DWP, and third-sector teams to identify candidates early
- Offer small incentives to help retain engagement during programmes
For more ideas contact your Internships Work Regional Lead.
