Supported Internships

All young people should be helped to develop the skills and experience, and achieve the qualifications they need to succeed in their careers. The overwhelming majority of young people with SEN are capable of sustainable paid employment with the right preparation and support. All professionals working with them should share that presumption.

Our staff understand the skills that employers value and are expert in helping young people to develop them.  Supported internships at Azure are designed to enable young people with learning difficulties and/or disabilities to achieve sustainable, paid employment by equipping them with the skills they need for work through learning in the workplace. Internships normally last for a year and include unpaid work placements of at least six months.

Wherever possible, they support the young person to move into paid employment at the end of the programme (including Apprenticeships).

Students complete a personalised study programme which includes the chance to study for relevant substantial qualifications, if suitable, and English and maths to an appropriate level.

You can refer yourself through your school, care management or Employability and Skills Team.

You are welcome to have a look around and an informal discussion with a member of our team and if you are interested we can look to arrange taster day(s).

Please contact Helen Campbell for more information
helen.campbell@azure-charitable.co.uk
Tel: 01670 733 966

Learners joining Supported Internships will be allocated a job coach and be supported to:

• Develop skills valued by employers and enabled to demonstrate their value in the workplace
• Develop confidence in their own ability to perform successfully at work.

Supported Internships at Azure Charitable Enterprises will last for a minimum of six months and are based primarily in the organisations businesses to ensure learners can gain experience in real work settings. These include:

• Garden Centre & Café
• Landscapes
• Nurseries
• Printing
• Administration

Alongside the time with the employer, learners will also complete a personalised study programme which will include the opportunity to study for relevant qualifications (if appropriate) alongside Maths and English qualifications.

Learners attend up to five days per week and hours will vary depending on working environment.

Learners receive:

• Holiday leave entitlement
• Travel costs
• Qualification costs
• Equipment or PPE needed
• Bursary funding (if applicable)

Bursary Funding:

The 16 to 19 Bursary Fund provides financial support to help students overcome specific barriers to participation so they can remain in education.

There are two types of 16 to 19 bursaries:

• bursaries for defined vulnerable groups of up to £1,200 a year
• discretionary bursaries which institutions award to meet individual needs, for example, help with the cost of transport, meals, books and equipment.

As a training provider we can tell you more. You can ask us to assess your needs to see if you are eligible.

For some, the ideal outcome from a Supported Internship will be the offer of a paid job from an employer (including an apprenticeship) and possibly with Azure or one of our partner organisations, other outcomes include:

• building up experience for a CV, demonstrating that the young person has the skills and willingness to work;
• changing the perception of employers about employing people with learning difficulties and/or disabilities;
• changing the perception of the young person’s family that they can work;
• improving skills in English and Maths that enable the young person to be better prepared for work, including handling money, interacting with the public, and practising interview skills; and
• becoming an independent traveller.