Engaging Young People and Families in Supported Internships

Supported internships offer a valuable pathway into employment for young people with additional needs. Local authorities play a crucial role in promoting and shaping successful supported internships pathways – and engagement with young people and families is key to that success.

This resource offers 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.

• 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.

• Plan with Purpose from Year 9: Use vocational profiling and set employment-focused outcomes in EHCPs.

• 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.

• Collaborate Strongly: Build trusted relationships between schools, local authority teams, and post-16 providers.

• Coordinate Through Forums: Use your employment forum to steer strategic action plans.

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 – particularly in mainstream 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.