We are proud to announce the continuation of our highly successful Supported Internship Work Programme, now entering its fourth year.
The initiative is aimed at improving the quality and the number of Supported Internship opportunities available to young people aged 16-24 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and will run to March 2026.
The Explore Your Potential programme, which is designed for young people with SEND who do not have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), will continue for another year too. This employment preparation initiative offers tailored support and work placements, helping young people build confidence and skills for the workplace.
The programme has already made a real impact on young people’s lives. In North Tyneside participation rates are four times the national average.
Funding from the Department for Education means the scheme provides:
- A work placement within North Tyneside Council
- Support with English, Maths, and employment skills
- One-to-one job coach support
- Paid lunch and transport
- Clear pathways into employment
The borough has also led the way in delivering specialist job coach training and establishing a SEND Employment Forum.
From September 2025, the Ignite Your Potential programme, which prepares young people with SEND to be ready to undertake a Supported Internship, will expand from 32 to 40 places, following its ‘Outstanding’ rating by Ofsted in June 2023.
“Behind every intern we support is a powerful story of growth and achievement” said Karen Clark, Elected Mayor of North Tyneside.
“Supporting people into meaningful employment is one of our key ambitions, and this scheme allows our job coaches to support each young person based on their individual needs and ambitions.
“The announcement of the schemes expansion means we can extend the offer to even more young people, and we want our work to inspire more local employers to get involved.”
We are one of only 14 local authorities nationally delivering this programme, which has already supported over 1,500 young people into employment across the UK.