Supported Internships

What are Supported Internships?

We offer Supported Internships for young people who want to work in competitive employment. The unpaid supported internships form part of the intern’s education and equip autistic young people with the skills needed for adulthood and employment.

The programme takes place in a business setting. Learners are totally immersed in the workplace, learning through continuous feedback, and gaining real employability and competitive work skills.

Who is it for?

Are you 18-25 years old with an Education, Health, and Care (EHC) plan?
Are you autistic or have a related learning difficulty?
Would you like to get a paid job in the future?
Are you an independent traveller (or working towards)?

If you answered yes to the above, a supported internship with St.John’s College could be the opportunity for you!

How to apply

We are looking for candidates who meet the following criteria:

aged 18-25 years old with an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan
are autistic or has a related learning difficulty
have an interest to move into employment
interested in spending a year learning new skills or developing existing skills in the workplace
are an independent traveller or working towards independence
be willing to undertake and pass a DBS check (for Amazon)

To apply for a Supported Internship, 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 EHC plan. 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, give us a call, 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 St. John's 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: stjsupportedinternship@ambitiousaboutautism.org.uk

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

Our Partnership Model

We use the DFN Project SEARCH model and work with host businesses Chartwells Universities, based at the University of Sussex, and Amazon, based in Crawley, to support interns to develop workplace skills.

The two programmes run from September for one academic year, with interns based at their workplace five days a week. Interns are supported by staff from St. John’s College.

Supported Internships also benefit employers to learn what young people with additional needs can contribute to workplaces and achieve with extra support.

Our Supported Internship sites

We currently deliver Supported Internships at:

Find out more about Supported Internships

In addition to our Supported Internships with Chartwells Universities and Amazon, Crawley, Ambitious about Autism has four other Supported Internships programmes. These are run through our other college, Ambitious College, which is based in greater London. These programmes are supported by Ambitious College’s specialist staff. Find out more.

What does a typical day include?

A typical day includes:

classroom instruction in employability and independent living skills
participation at one or more internship rotations
social interaction within their internship department
regular feedback from the instructor, job coaches, and business colleagues.

How we support you

Individualised internships and job development continue throughout the year. These are based on an individual’s strengths, skills, and interests. Interns are supported through on-the-job coaching and improvement strategies, the ultimate goal being to help them obtain paid employment and live independently.

This is an exciting opportunity for young people who are eligible to learn a wide variety of skills ranging from housekeeping, administration, portering, and customer service.