Raising Aspiration: widening participation in Supported Internships

Supported Internships should be given a higher profile and equal status to Apprenticeships , argues this joint report by Mencap and Remploy.

The main points of the report can be summarised as:

• Supported Internships are an effective route into paid employment for young people with SEND who are otherwise at a greatly increased risk of becoming NEET and subsequently dependent on adult social care services.
• Supported Internships are a key vehicle to achieving Government’s aspiration to halve the disability employment gap and ensure that people with learning disabilities have increased access to skills provision given the lack of access to Apprenticeships among this group of young people.
• Supported Internships do not need to be redesigned, since they are already known to be a successful model when delivered according to good practice.
• A cross-Government marketing campaign and a sustainable, ring-fenced funding stream would help providers to deliver employment outcomes for young people with SEND year on year.