Support available after the Supported Internship

Every intern on the Cheshire East Supported Internship programme will have an ‘Exit Meeting’ before they finish their programme. This is to reassure both the young person and their family of the next steps.

We can’t guarantee that everybody will progress into paid work at the end of the programme. However, our track record of interns progressing into paid work is nationally very high, with 75% of young people securing paid work or an apprenticeship at the end of the programme (this statistic is based on a 5 year average).

Pathways and support available after the Supported Internship

Depending on the outcome of the programme, there are different pathways available to young people

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Access to work is available to support young people in the workplace if support is required. From 2024, we are encouraging all young people who secure paid work to apply for access to work support. This is because if support is required in the future, funding will have already been secured in advance, meaning that there are no waiting times to get funding or support approved.

Job coaching support can include a ‘light touch approach’ such as checking in with the new ‘employee’, or more intensive 1:1 job coaching (if needed). The aim is to ensure paid work is sustained. More information can be found on Access to work.

There are programmes available after the Supported Internship, which are funded via the DWP and The Shared Prosperity Fund. These programmes are available to ensure support is provided- to enable young people to continue their ‘journey’ into paid employment.

There are various opportunities available to support young people to continue their journey into paid work. These programmes will be discussed at the ‘Exit Meeting’.

The Shared Prosperity Fund

Inspiring Futures helps you into paid or voluntary work within as little as four to six weeks, complete their online form that can be found at the bottom of Inspiring Futures web page. The programme started in November 2023 and has been recommissioned until March 2026. It's available to people living in the Cheshire East region aged 16 plus with a health condition or disability and are economically inactive.

Connect to Work

Connect to work is due to go live in Cheshire East in autumn 2025. Contact the Supported Employment team for more information.

DWP Funded Programmes

Movement to Work

Work experience programme which is delivered over 2 weeks, it’s a structured work experience placement within DWP and is open to everybody, with a huge focus on youth.

Activities and events in Cheshire East

Sarah Jacklin, our Local Area Coordinator, produces a valuable weekly community bulletin and shares this with providers and young people in our area. It is a great bulletin to be shared with any young people you feel would benefit from this type of information, its great for introducing them to social activities and events/clubs in their areas. 

Contact Sarah for more information.

If the intern has completed the Supported Internship, and the job coach support has been unable to reduce throughout the Supported Internship programme. 100% job coaching support has remained throughout the programme to ensure the young person is safe and is able to complete the tasks required. If this is the case, it will be important that the Social Worker attends the ‘Exit Meeting’ to ensure an up to date adult needs assessment is completed and next steps can be explored. These next steps will be person centred, and likely to be different for everybody.

Further information 

You can contact Zoe Macey who is leading on the Supported Internship Programme for more information.

Email: Zoe.Macey@cheshireeast.gov.uk

Telephone: 07789654349


Page last reviewed: 25 June 2025

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