Mencap Training Academy supported internship programme
The Mencap Training Academy's supported internship programme works with young people aged between 16 and 24 who have an EHCP and who want to find a job.
We help them to do this through our programme that runs for an academic year from September to July during which time, learners will:
- Attend sessions at our classroom at Parc House Studios in Kingston 2 days a week to learn about the skills and behaviours needed for the world of work.
- Complete work experience. As a leading charity we work with lots of different local and national businesses to provide opportunities for our learners that match their skills, needs and interests. In London, we work with the likes of Greene King, Delfont Mackintosh, Decathlon, Mitie, Bella Italia and Evri. Learners are required to complete a minimum of 420 hours of work experience over the year. Learners will be supported in their work placements by a Mencap skills coach who will help them to learn certain tasks and make sure they have the support they need to succeed in work.
The aim of the programme is for learners to move on into a paid job of 16+ hours. This may be with the employer with whom they do work experience, or we will support them to apply for other jobs where they can use the skills and experiences developed while on the programme.
Pre-internship option
If you do not think you are quite ready yet to complete 420 hours of work experience, then we also offer a pre-internship study programme option. On this programme, learners will:
- Attend sessions at our Parc House Studios premises in Kingston 3-4 days a week to learn about the skills and behaviours needed to succeed in the world of work
- Engage with employers through visits to employer sites and from guest speakers
- Complete some, more limited work experience, most likely toward the end of the year.
The aim of the pre-internship is for learners to successfully move on to the full supported internship programme the next year.
If you are interested in enrolling on our full supported internship or pre-internship programme or would like to enquire on behalf of a family member or someone you support, then please complete our online expression of interest form or [javascript protected email address].
Contact
Location
Units 3 and 4, Parc House Studios
Kingston Upon Thames
KT2 6DZ
Venue Notes
This is where we host the education element of our supported internship programme and we can take learners from nearby London boroughs on to this programme. Learners on our programme attend sessions at our classroom here for 2 days a week. Learners spend the rest of the week on work experience placements. These can be with a range of different employers with locations across London. We may be able to source work experience opportunities closer to learners' homes where required, while we can provide up to 6 week's of travel training at the start of the programme.
Date and Time
Referral Information
To start the referral process, please complete our online expression of interest form.
This can be completed by young people hoping to join our programme, or on their behalf by someone they know.
Alternatively, if you have any questions, please get in touch with our programme coordinator for south west London, Lucinda.
Once you have expressed an interest in joining the programme, we will look to arrange a meeting to discuss your application further and to make sure that the programme is a good fit for the person being referred. Ahead of that meeting, we will request a copy of the young person's EHCP, as well as their National Insurance number and to see a copy of their passport.
