Supported Internships

What are Supported Internships?

Supported Internships are a study programme for young people with an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan who want to move into paid employment with extra support. Interns are aged 16 to 25 and spend a year based in the workplace, combining real work roles, classroom learning, and specialist job coaching.

We work in partnership with major employers including the NHS, Chessington World of Adventures Resort, LEGOLAND© Windsor Resort, Chartwells Universities, and Amazon, together with DFN Project SEARCH and local authorities, to deliver high-quality Supported Internship programmes.

Many interns progress into paid work after the programme. To support this transition, each intern also receives up to nine months of follow-on support from a job coach, helping them settle into work or continue their job search.

Why choose a Supported Internship?

Supported Internships help young people:

gain real work experience in large businesses and organisations
develop job-specific and employability skills
improve English and maths in practical, workplace settings
build confidence, independence, and resilience
strengthen social communication and teamwork
work towards qualifications that support future employment
offer a structured and supportive pathway into adulthood and employment.

Who can apply?

A young person may be eligible if they:

are aged 16 to 25 (17 or 18 to 25 for some Supported Internships programmes)
have an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan
are autistic or have a related learning difficulty
want to move into paid employment
can travel independently, or are working towards travel independence
are willing to undertake and pass a DBS check
are willing to undertake an occupational health check (Whittington Hospital only).

How it works

The programme runs from September for one academic year. Interns are based at their host site five days a week.

Each internship includes:

up to three workplace rotations in different departments
classroom learning led by a teacher, linked directly to the workplace
daily support from specialist job coaches
regular feedback to track progress and set goals.

The combination of workplace experience and tailored learning helps interns prepare for adulthood, employment, and greater independence.

How to apply

To apply for a Supported Internship at Ambitious College, you will need to complete an application form. Once we receive your form, a member of our team will get in touch with you to discuss the next steps, including requesting a copy of your EHCP. We accept applications throughout the year, but we encourage early submissions to avoid disappointment.

Step 1: Ask about the programme

You, your parent or carer can:

Send us an email, or phone us, or meet us at an event.
We will explain what the programme is and check if it is right for you.

If no information session is planned, we can organise a call or offer you a visit.

Step 2: Come to an information session

We will invite you and your parent or carer to join a session (online or in person). You will:

Find out what the internship is like.
Learn about the work placements.
Meet some of the team.
Have time to ask questions.

Step 3: Fill in an application form

If you want to apply, you need to submit an application. You or your parent/carer can fill it in. The form asks about:

Your contact details
What jobs you would like to do
What support you might need
Why you would like to do the programme

Step 4: Come to a selection day

If your form shows this programme might suit you, we will invite you to a selection day. You will:

Take part in short activities and a short interview.
Meet the team from Ambitious College and the business.
Show us your skills and interests.
This helps us understand how to support you best.

Step 5: What happens next

After the selection day we will let you know the result. If you get a place:

We will phone you and send an email.
You will get a welcome pack.
We will help you get ready for September.

If we cannot offer you a place, we will:

Phone or email you and explain why.
Suggest other options that might be suitable for you.

Step 6: Before you start

You will:

Meet your new teachers and job coaches.
Get your uniform information (if required).
Complete any DBS or health checks.

We’ll make sure you have everything you need before you start. We want you to feel confident and ready for your first day.

All application forms should be emailed to: acsupportedinternship@ambitiouscollege.org.uk

Local Authority consultations should be emailed to: admissions@ambitiousaboutautism.org.uk

Eddy's story

I’m Eddy, I’m 23 and I recently graduated from Ambitious College’s Supported Internship programme at the Whittington Hospital in North London.

During the 12-month placement I worked in two hospital departments. In the pharmacy department I help fill up and store medication, making sure that shelves were stocked and expired medication was disposed of correctly. In the endoscopy department I worked directly with patients after their procedures, removing cannulas, offering refreshments and doing observations. I also arranged escorts for patients following their discharge.

Throughout my placement, I had lots of support from the supported internship team. They always came to visit me on placements to check-in and see how I was doing.

The Supported Internship programme has been a great stepping stone into work. I’ve had a lot of ups and downs in my life and I needed some stability and a programme that was tailored to me so I could reach my full potential. It’s helped me to achieve things I never thought I’d be able to achieve.

Our Supported Internships sites

We currently deliver Supported Internships at:

Find out more

The best way to learn more is to attend an information session. These sessions let you visit the site, meet the team, hear from programme graduates, and ask questions. Click on your preferred site above to find out when these sessions are. Alternatively, contact us and our site leads below for an informal discussion.

Email: acsupportedinternships@ambitiouscollege.org.uk

Whittington Hospital: contact Rahma Maina on 07553510587

Chessington World of Adventures Resort: contact Stacia Neverson 07384 835708

Amazon, Weybridge: contact Grayson O’Reilly on 07376 544980