What is a supported internship?
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.
For academic year 2026/27, building on the internships work initiative, the council has received support from the Department for Education to participate in a pilot to provide places on some of the Hillingdon supported internships to young people without an EHCP.
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 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.