Local supported internships for young people aged between 17 and 20 have taken place in various emploment settings and in various job roles – these have included working as a Cleaner, Sales Assistant, Hospital Porter, Ward Clerk, Ward Buddy, Tyre Mechanic, Waiter, Chef.

Young people told us:

• School helped me create a CV and have talked a lot about getting a paid job
• I’m trying all the time to be as independent as I can be
• My school helped me to get a paid job at a café and I’m also learning to drive, I feel very independent

3 out of 9 young people already have part-time paid jobs and feel this has helped them become more independent.

Young people involved in supported internships told us:

• The help I’m getting to find a paid job in the future
• I like the team I work with and the role, it makes me want a job
• We have a laugh, I’m now used to using the machines and talking to customers
• I like to organise the products and clean the shelves; I make everything look neater
• It has helped my social skills, after COVID I found it difficult to get out
• I make cakes, prepare food, cook and learn about all the different spices
• All the opportunities available to me
• The people are the best thing, I like talking to the customers, I even have a regular who always comes to me
• I wanted a job that makes a difference, which the NHS does, regardless of what I do there
• The team are very supportive, they understand the different needs of everyone. I even get help with interviews
• I’m enjoying being able to do the extra curricular work of L1 maths in between the programme
• The support getting to and from the placement
• I am nervous to move out of my home but I want to live and work in Exeter. The supported internship is giving me the work experience I need to get a paid job
• The programme is getting me ready, I’m no longer worried about life

Young people involved when asked what could be better, told us:

• Nothing, it’s all good
• I’d like to be able to do more of the mechanical work and not just tyres
• I want to go on the till but you need to be on their system, in a paid job, for that
• My options have been limited because of my physical disability. I need an admin job but it’s hard to find a setting with the right facilities for me
• The environment isn’t busy enough for me, I preferred it in my last placement, I like the stress
• I would like a paid job there now

Young people involved when why a bussiness should employ a young person who has Special Educational Needs and or Disabilities (SEND), told us:

• We find it harder to get a job, giving us more opportunities would be good. I’m good at organising!
• I work really hard and put my mind to it, I keep working at it and I think straight, not much affects me.
• Depends on their needs. I bring pros and cons to a workplace, I talk a lot which is good for customer interaction but could be bad for business if you’re not getting anything done, I’m working on that.
• I bring humour 🙂
• A child with SEND can learn a lot from the workplace so give them the opportunity.
• People shouldn’t be treated differently, we should all have the same opportunities.
• Giving the same opportunities to all even if some young people have issues/needs.
• Give them a chance, we need to give back to society too.