The Internships Work programme came to an end in March. We want to thank everyone who has been involved — local authorities, providers, partners, young people, and families — for your work, commitment and collaboration.
Although the programme has closed, all the tools, guidance and resources we created will remain available on the NDTi website. You are welcome to continue using them to help develop and strengthen Supported Internships in your area.
Information from the Department for Education
This funding has been to increase and improve supported internships across the country. The Department for Education expects education providers to continue to offer supported internships and local authorities to maintain their focus on supported internships regardless of the Internships Work funding.
As set out in the SEND Code of Practice, local authorities must keep their educational and training provision under review and this includes the sufficiency of that provision, and each local authority’s Local Offer must include information about supported internships.
What the partners are doing next
The Internships Work programme was delivered by the National Development Team for Inclusion (NDTi), the British Association for Supported Employment (BASE), and DFN Project SEARCH. Below is an overview of what they are offering now that the programme has finished.
NDTi
NDTi is offering tailored support for local authorities and regions to help grow, strengthen and sustain high‑quality supported internships.
BASE
BASE is continuing to offer free introductory training on supported employment via its community platform learning.
DFN Project SEARCH
DFN Project SEARCH is continuing to deliver supported internships across the UK, Ireland, and Iberia.
Achievements during Internships Work
Over the lifetime of the programme, Internships Work delivered significant national impact, including:
- Doubled the number of supported internships across England
- 153 local authorities supported, receiving tailored guidance and access to regional network meetings
- 143 SEND Employment Forums established and supported, bringing together local stakeholders
- 1,900 job coaches completed specialist training linked to the National Occupational Standards for Supported Employment
- 150 Supported Internship Quality Assurance (SIQAF) peer reviews, supporting providers to strengthen practice and improve outcomes for young people.
- Hundreds of employer ambassadors across England were trained and connected with their SEND Employment Forums.
In the fourth year of the programme (2025/26)
- 5,100 young people across England are on a supported internships this year. Of them, 573 are young people without an EHCP
- 1,641 young people secured paid employment following a Supported Internship last year. Of them, 114 are young people without an EHCP
- 6,032 young people are predicted to be supported interns next year. Of them, 501 are young people without an EHCP
