About the pilot
- Launched in mid-2023 with 10 local sites, and a further two added in 2024.
- Extended in March 2026, with 4 additional sites joining in the 2025/26 financial year.
- Delivered through the Internships Work consortium, with funding from the Department for Education
Who it’s for
The pilot supports young people aged 16–24 who:
- Have complex special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) but no EHCP.
- Are furthest from the labour market and need additional support to move into employment.
- Are NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training), at risk of becoming NEET, or have social, emotional, and mental health needs.
Participating local authorities
- Barnet
- City of Bristol
- Cheshire West and Chester
- Derby
- Hampshire
- Hillingdon
- Leeds
- Liverpool
- Manchester
- Middlesbrough
- Norfolk
- North Tyneside
- Telford and Wrekin
- Tower Hamlets
- Somerset
- Surrey
Evaluation
The pilot is being independently evaluated by CooperGibson Research. A final report is expected in February 2027, which will help shape future plans for supported internships.
Highlights
There is fantastic work happening across all Internships Work pilot sites, showcasing innovative approaches to supported internships for young people without an EHCP.
Here are just a few examples of success stories and promising practices, explore our case studies below to learn more.
