Bespoke Supported Internships
A supported internship is a transition to work programme for young adults with a learning disability or autism spectrum conditions, or both. Young people must be aged 18 to 24 and have an active Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP).
The Derbyshire Adult Community Education Service (DACES) have supported internship partnerships with several large employers across Derbyshire but DACES can also work with you to develop an internship with individual employers that meet your needs.
What support is available?
Interns will work directly with a mentor from the employer and will also have a job coach with them for at least 40% of their working time. The job coach will help to foster independence and confidence, support the intern to learn their work tasks and to complete them to the same standard as everyone else and to resolve any work-based challenges.
What does a typical day look like?
Each bespoke internship is unique and is designed to suit the young person and the employer. This year we have young people on bespoke supported internships working in very varied settings with local employers: golf course maintenance; technician in construction and early years provision.
Pre-internship Programmes
If you are aged 16 to 23 years old with an EHCP and want to prepare for paid employment but you are not quite ready to start a fulltime supported internship programme then you can try a pre-internship study programme. You will have at least 1 day per week of work experience (which will be supported), whilst continuing to do some learning.
Supported Preparation for Work Programmes
If you are aged 16+ and have special educational needs or disabilities but do not have an EHCP, then DACES can plan a supported employment programme for you. The programme will include substantial work placement supported by DACES, alongside a bespoke learning programme.
Contact Details
To book a visit or for more information, please complete the following form:
Derbyshire Adult Community Education Services (DACES) - I am interested in starting a supported internship
Or contact us via:
Email: SupportedInternships@derbyshire.gov.uk
or Telephone: 01629 539463