Find out how supported internships could benefit your business 

6 March 2024

Cheshire East Council is inviting local businesses to come along to a free supported internships event on Wednesday 27 March, to find out more about how their business could benefit from matching an intern, with a disability, into their organisation.

The event will take place at The Space, Congleton from 8.45-10.45am, with breakfast included and the opportunity to network and hear from past interns and employers.

The scheme, which has been running since 2022 through the ‘internship works’ DfE programme, has targets to double the number of supported interns nationally by 2025.

Supported internships are for young people with special educational needs and disabilities aged 16 to 25. They usually last around 12 months with the young person supported by a job coach at the place of work.

The council has already had approximately 171 people take part in the programme since 2019, with 75 per cent of those then progressing into paid work.

Completing a supported internship brings many benefits to both individuals and employers, with past supported interns citing it improved their confidence as well as financial, communication and social skills.

For employers, it offers a risk-free way of hiring new talent, receiving the benefits of additional support, with the potential for their interns to become a permanent member of staff in their organisation.

Past companies who have received the help of a supported intern include Siemens, Crewe Hall, Waitrose, Wright’s Food Group, Swansway Dealership and the Co-op.

Councillor Carol Bulman, lead member for children and families at Cheshire East Council, said: “Our supported internships scheme is a fantastic initiative that offers a whole host of benefits, not just to help improve the skills, confidence and mental wellbeing of individuals with a learning disability, but for employers too.

“I’d urge any local businesses to take advantage of this opportunity and come along to our free event and discover more about how our supported internships can help them. 

“There’s nothing to lose by signing up to the programme, and everything to gain.

“We’re also delighted to be able to offer accessibility and diversity e-learning training to businesses involved with the scheme, which we’ll be embedding into the delivery programme ready for next year’s cohorts of businesses who sign up.”

Businesses can find out more and register their attendance via Eventbrite

Additional information about the supported internships scheme can also be found at: www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/supportedinternships. 

For more information or to enquire about joining the scheme as an individual or employer, email: supportedemployment@cheshireeast.gov.uk.