Somerset Council has been at the centre of developing a range of initiatives for those young people with SEND who aspire to having employment opportunities as part of their future life choices.

Supported Internships have been running for over 10 years and are one of the most successful ways to enable young people, with an identified additional need, to gain sustainable paid employment.

Supported Internships are full time, structured work based educational programmes, offered by providers, for young people aged 16-24 with identified additional needs and where the majority of their time is spent within the workplace.

The programme includes on-the-job training with a local employer, supported by expert job coaches, development of employment skills and the chance to study for relevant qualifications, where appropriate.

Job Coaches provide support to both the intern and the employer and aim to help young people gain paid employment by giving them the skills and experience by learning in the ‘real’ workplace.

Current Somerset Supported Internships include those offered by Leonardo Helicopters, Hinkley Point C, Trowbridge Garden Centre, Yeovil District Hospital and Musgrove Park Hospital, with many others in the pipeline across Somerset.

More information, opportunities and resources can be found at Imagine the Possibilities (somerset-ebp.co.uk)