Supported Internships

Supported Internships are unpaid study programmes for young people aged 16-24 who have an EHCP (Education Health & Care Plan).  Young people are enrolled in school or college and therefore the internship usually runs in line with the academic year.  The young person spends most of the week (typically 3-4 days) in the workplace and the remainder of their time in education.

HOW IT WORKS

Supported by work-place mentors and job coaches interns learn what it is to be employed and how to do one or more job roles in a real-life working environment. The ultimate aim is to transition young people from education into employment and ideally enable them to get a job with the employer they did their placement with or elsewhere.
To learn more about Supported Internships in general check out the BASE or Preparing for Adulthood websites. 
Ways into Work offers a range of Supported Internships. To learn more about what is involved and available, view our frequently asked questions:

  • What is a Supported Internship?

    A supported internship is a school/college course mainly carried out in the workplace where you will learn new skills which will help you find a job and find out what it takes to be a good employee.

  • Why do an Internship?

    • You will learn the skills an employer is looking for.
    • You will have support in the work place from Job Coaches.
    • It will help you become more independent.
    • It will give you the chance to try different jobs.
    • A Job Coach will support you to try & find paid work after the Internship ends.

  • How does an Internship work?

    • You will be in education, enrolled at college or school.
    • It starts in September and ends in July.
    • You will spend 3 or 4 days a week at work & 1 or 2 days at college/school.
    • The work placement is unpaid but the aim is to improve your chances of getting paid work.

  • What you will learn

    You will be supprted to learn the skills needed for the job rotation you are on.  This will involve going through some mandatory training specific to the employer and placement.  

    As part of this you will also receive support with communication skills, travel training, empotional regulation and rescillience and preparation for employment. 

  • Who can apply?

    • You will have special educational needs & an Educational Health & Care Plan.
    • You need to be 16 to 24 years old (minimum age 18 at the Hospitals).
    • You will be motivated to work and become more independent.

  • Where are the Internships based?

    Currently in many locations with more being set up ready for September 2024:

    • Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading.
    • Wexham Park Hospital near Slough
    • Working for Sodexo at the Johnson & Johnson site in High Wycombe or Pinewood.
    • Working for Sodexo at the Sanofi site.
    • Working at National Grid in Winnersh
    • In and around Reading
    • In Maidenhead.
    • In Wokingham.
    • In Woodley
    • At Dinton Pastures.
    • In Winnersh at National Grid's site.
    • At Winnersh business park
    • In Thatcham 

    We are in the process of setting more up - watch this space ... also look at the FAQ about what kind of placements there are ...


  • What kind of placements are there?

    Job Rotations in Reading - This Internship is based at the hospital in Reading. You could do rotations which include working in:

    • Catering
    • Admin
    • Retail
    • Logistics
    • Pharmacy
    • Portering
    • Ward Support

    Job Rotation in Reading with Make Sense Theatre



    Job Rotations in High Wycombe and Pinewood - These Internships are based at the Johnson & Johnson headquarters and the employer is Sodexo PLC — both international companies.  There are generally rotations available in:

    • Catering            
    • Mail Room      
    • Staff shop       
    • Security (Pinewood)
    • Meeting rooms/events

    Job Rotations in Reading

    This Internship is based at the Sanofi site and the employer is Sodexo PLC — both international companies.  There are often rotations available in:

    • Catering            
    • Mail Room      
    • Reception/Admin      

    Job Rotations near Slough - This Internship is based at Wexham Park Hospital.  You could do rotations which include working in:

    • Catering 
    • Portering
    • Mail room

    Job Rotations in Maidenhead, Tilehurst or Woodley - This Internship is aimed at young people who wish to get in to a Child Care related setting.



    Job Rotations in Winnersh - this intership  is based at National Grid. There are rotations in:

    • The Control Room
    • Post room and Reception
    • Network Access Planning

    Job Rotations in the Community Hospital in Wokingham - offering;

    • Admin related work

    Job Rotations at Dinton Pastures in grounds maintenance and horticulture and now also in their CAFE



    Job Rotation on Winnersh Business Park  with a national horticultural organisation



    ... and more coming soon .... look out for them.  They will be detailed on our poster towards the end of 2023 in readiness for the online INFORMATION SESSION we will hold in the early part of 2024






  • When does the next supported Internship start?

    The internship runs in line with the academic year so the next supported internship cohort are starting in August 2023.  Planning for 2024-25 will start to happen around November 2023.  If you are interested email us at info@waysintowork.com

Get in touch

Who are Route to Recruit?  


RoutetoRecruit is the name of our Supported Internship programme. We are made up of a partnership between: 
  • Ways into Work (who manage the programme and provide qualified Job Coaches)
  • Activate Learning (Reading College) 
  • Brookfields and Addington SEN Schools
Route to Recruit builds relationships with employers to set up supported internships where young people with SEN and an EHCP can learn the on-the-job practical skills they need to secure paid employment.