Supported internships
On 5 July 2023, the Adults Commissioning Team facilitated a session delivered by the Adult Education Team to providers across the adult social care sector, from care homes to voluntary organisations.
The session, delivered by Kim Warner, featured a presentation and roundtable Q&A. The presentation included some hard-hitting figures such as:
- 65% of people with a learning disability would like a job
- Only 5.6% of adults with learning disabilities known to Social Services are in any kind of paid employment (which has gotten even smaller in the last two months)
- 9% of people with serious mental health needs are in paid employment
The purpose of the session was to invite providers to take part in a project the Adults Commissioning Team and the Adult Education team have been working on in a multi-departmental effort to increase employment opportunities for young people with barriers to education such as LD/ MH/ Autism/ Hospital Education. This also aligns with the work that the Adults Commissioning team have been undertaking to increase recruitment and retention in Adult Social Care.
The benefit of a supported internship placement is that it gives young people the opportunity to learn & try different types of jobs. It also provides skills and qualifications to enable them to progress into employment. The internship lasts up to nine months, but if the employer decides to hire the person on placement before that time, they are encouraged to do so – this has happened on many occasions! The young person will work for the employer 4 days a week and will be in education with the Adult Education team for the fifth day – Adult Education also provide free mentorship for the young person, all that is required from employers is an induction and a supportive environment.
This process also benefits employers, as:
- It can save time and money on recruitment costs
- It provides motivated employees who will be committed to the company
- It improves staff morale and teamwork
- It can enhance the company's reputation, both internally and with customers
- It can lead to innovation in products and services
- It demonstrates corporate social responsibility
One employer said
“It is an absolute pleasure to have him in the team with us, he turns up early every day with a smile on his face and is always keen to learn as much as possible whilst he is with us. He has fit into our team with ease and in a short space of time has built friendships with everyone in the section as well as other departments”.
Following the session, all the ASC providers the team spoke to were extremely excited at this beneficial opportunity, and many were keen to take on multiple interns.
If this may be something that you would like to find out more about, please contact Kim Warner, Employer Partnership Manager by Mobile: 07968 222 963 or Email: Kim.warner@coventry.gov.uk
What is the Internship?
Programmes built for 16-24 years that have an Education Health Care Plan and have had some barriers to learning. The Supported Internship is a 4-day placement in work with one day in education and lasts for 9 months.
What roles are suitable?
Potentially all roles within the organisation as Job Coaches work with the young people before the internship to find out their skills and interests, so that they can match your needs.
What do providers need to do to sign a young person up?
Apply through Adult Education/Employment Service. The employer will need Public liability insurance, time to offer support and relevant risk assessments.
What support are providers expected to give to young people on the internship?
Induction, health and safety training, job description prior to placement, identify a workplace mentor/support person.
What support do providers receive from Adult Education/Adult Social Care?
Support from a job coach which is quite intensive at the start of the internship. Additional in-work support can be accessed if the young person is offered a paid position post-internship.
What happens if things go well? Can the internship end early if a young person is offered a paid job?
Yes, absolutely! This happens regularly!
What happens in the unlikely event that there are concerns by either employee or intern?
Job coach intervention and mediation.
What are the financial implications?
There are no financial implications for the provider. In fact, there may be some financial benefits to offering a young person on the scheme the opportunity of paid employment and a position within your team. The internship could save you money in recruitment costs should you go on to offer a paid position to the intern.
Do the interns receive any allowance or expenses?
No, but some employers offer some incentives or rewards.
How many days a week can the intern work?
Interns will work 4 days a week. Mentorship cannot be provided on weekends, therefore, Adult Education does not recommend weekend shifts until the intern is settled into the programme.
Contact: Mae.Fletcher@coventry.gov.uk or Simon.Veasey@coventry.gov.uk to find out more.