Supported internships are structured study programmes, which are open to 17 to 24-year-olds who have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) and live in Hillingdon. They are designed to develop transferable skills, knowledge and attitudes in preparation for paid employment.
As part of the national Internships Work project, Hillingdon Council has received a grant from the Department for Education to develop our Supported Employment Forum and increase the number of supported internships in our area.
Through training and direct work experience, young people will develop employability skills, self-confidence, job-specific skills and Maths, English and ICT skills, whilst working alongside employees in a real employment setting.
Learning is based in a workplace and young people are taught the skills they need to find paid employment. They will also have the chance to study English, Maths and relevant qualifications, where appropriate.
Supported internships last for a minimum of 6 months and are unpaid. At the end of the programme, wherever possible, young people are supported to move into paid employment.
If you would like to apply for any of the below supported internships in Hillingdon, you can contact the provider directly, discuss in your EHCP annual review or email our Special Educational needs team at senadmin@hillingdon.gov.uk.
Hillingdon Council Project Search
This transition-to-work programme is open to 17 to 24-year-olds with autism or a learning disability who are eligible for an Education Health Care Plan (EHCP).
The programme is based at the Civic Centre, Uxbridge, and is run in partnership with Orchard Hill College, Hillingdon Autistic Care and Support (HACS) and DFN Project SEARCH.
From September 2023, Hillingdon Hospital will be the business host for a brand new supported internship for 18 to 24-year-olds in receipt of an EHCP. This programme is run in partnership with Orchard Hill College, Hillingdon Autistic Care and Support (HACS), Hillingdon Council and DFN Project SEARCH.
This is a full-time programme, which runs Monday to Friday and includes work rotations with Hillingdon Hospital. This gives you the opportunity to work in different departments of the organisation, including catering, transport, patient care and admin.
DFN Project SEARCH is a partnership venture which prepares young people with learning difficulties / disabilities for competitive employment. The aim of the project is to provide young people between the ages of 17-25 years with a one year supported internship programme.
The partnership between London Heathrow Marriott Hotel (business host), Meadow High School (Education Provider) and Hillingdon Council has been running for more than 6 years and has seen more than 30 young people find and keep a paid job.
Watch this short video, where Alex tells of how, with perseverance and support, they landed a job at Marriott Hotels.
Hear life-changing stories of graduates Brian Wallington and Michael Vickery, who both work for the Marriott hotel.
The Pavilions Supported Internship (Shaw Trust) is a accredited study programme specifically designed for 17 to 24-year-olds with an EHCP and a goal to become more confident, independent and get into paid employment.
The programme recognises the uniqueness of every person and aims to work around the individual's needs, allowing the young person to progress and develop at their own pace.
Watch this short video to hear from interns talk about what they like, what they've learnt and what they've gained from the programme
