Supported Internships

Supported Internships are a study programme for young people with an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan who want to move into paid employment with extra support. Interns are aged 16 to 25 and spend a year based in the workplace, combining real work roles, classroom learning, and specialist job coaching.

Ambitious about Autism has been running successful Supported Internships programmes since 2019. Depending on the location of the programme, it is either delivered by Ambitious College in London or St. John’s College in Brighton. We work in partnership with major employers, including the NHS, Chessington World of Adventures Resort, LEGOLAND© Windsor Resort, Chartwells Universities and Amazon (across two sites in Weybridge and Crawley), together with DFN Project SEARCH and local authorities, to deliver high-quality Supported Internship programmes.

Many interns progress into paid work after the programme. To support this transition, each intern receives up to nine months of follow-on support from a job coach, helping them settle into work or continue their job search. 

Why choose a Supported Internship?

Our Supported Internships help young people:

• gain real work experience in large businesses and organisations

• develop job-specific and employability skills

• improve English and Maths in practical, workplace settings

• build confidence, independence, and resilience

• strengthen social communication and teamwork

• work towards qualifications that support future employment.

Our Supported Internships provide a structured and supportive pathway into adulthood and employment. 

Who can apply?

A young person may be eligible if they:

• are aged 16 to 25 (some of our Supported Internships programmes are only open to those 17 or 18 and above)    

• have an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan, are autistic or have a related learning difficulty

• want to move into paid employment

• can travel independently, or are working towards travel independence

• are willing to undertake and pass a DBS check (site dependent) 

• are willing to undertake an occupational health check (Whittington Hospital only).  

How it works

The programme runs from September for one academic year. Interns are based at their host site five days a week. 

Each internship includes:

• up to three workplace rotations in different departments

• classroom learning led by a teacher, linked directly to the workplace

• daily support from specialist job coaches

• regular feedback to track progress and set goals.

The combination of workplace experience and tailored learning helps interns prepare for adulthood, employment, and greater independence. 

What happens after the programme?

Many interns move into paid work with their host employer or in the wider community.

Every intern also receives up to nine months of follow-on support from a job coach. This extra help includes:

• support settling into a new job

• building confidence and independence at work

• continued job searching if needed.