Course Overview
Kendal College offers two Supported Internship pathways for young people preparing for employment and adult life through immersive workplace learning and employability development.
NHS Supported Internship Pathway
This established Supported Internship programme is delivered in partnership with DFN Project SEARCH and NHS employer partners including University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust. This pathway is specifically designed for young people aged 17-25 with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) who are ready to transition from education into employment.
Interns complete a full-time workplace-based programme with support from a tutor and job coach while developing employability, independence, communication, and workplace skills in real NHS settings. Workplace rotations may include clerical services, reception, portering, catering, pharmacy, maintenance, medical records, retail, stores, radiology, laundry, domestics, sterile services, and patient support services.
ASDA Supported Internship Pilot Pathway
This pathway is a one-year pilot programme for 2026/27 only and forms part of a nationally funded research project delivered in partnership with the Youth Futures Foundation, King's College London, DFN Project SEARCH, ASDA, and other local employer partners
The ASDA pathway is specifically designed to expand Supported Internship opportunities to young people with SEND, learning disabilities and/or autism who do not currently have an EHCP.
This programme forms part of a national Randomised Control Trial (RCT) research study exploring the impact of Supported Internships on employment outcomes for young people with SEND. Learners who apply and consent to participate in the research process may either:
- Be offered a Supported Internship placement with ASDA, or
- Continue to receive their existing college support and provision as part of the comparison group for the research study.
Whilst ASDA is expected to be the primary employer partner, interns may also have opportunities to undertake placements and work rotations with other local businesses involved in the pilot programme
Selection for internship places within the pilot project is decided randomly by the research team as part of the national study design and cannot be guaranteed for all applicants. Learners participating in the research will be asked to complete surveys and feedback activities during the study period.
ASDA workplace rotations may include:
- Shelf maintenance and stock replenishment
- Warehousing and logistics
- Bakery preparation
- Customer service and welcome roles
- Clothing and electrical departments
- Checkouts and till support
- Click and collect services
- Home delivery preparation
- Restaurant and kitchen support
- Facilities and maintenance
- Cleaning teams
- Office administration
- Fresh produce and food preparation
Across both pathways, learners develop transferable employability skills including teamwork, communication, timekeeping, workplace professionalism, confidence, interview preparation, CV writing, problem solving, health and wellbeing, and independent travel skills.
The Supported Internship model focuses on high-quality training in integrated real work environments with the goal of supporting interns into sustained paid employment.
Entry Requirements
NHS Supported Internship Pathway:
- Aged 17-25
- Must have an EHCP
- Motivated to progress into employment
- Able to participate safely within workplace settings
- Willing to develop independence and employability skills
ASDA Supported Internship Pilot Pathway (2026/27 only):
- Aged 16-24
- Young people with SEND, learning disabilities and/or autism without an EHCP
- Motivated to move into employment and leave full-time education
- Suitable for a retail workplace environment
- Willing to participate in the Randomised Control Trial (RCT) research study and associated surveys
- Understand that internship places are allocated randomly as part of the national research project
- Be travel trained or willing to undertake travel training
- Be currently enrolled at Kendal College
Selection for both pathways will include an assessment and interview process.
After Your Course
There is a likelihood that successful completion of the programme could lead to paid employment. Nationally 5.1 percent of young people with learning difference gain employment yet 70 percent of those supported by DFN Project SEARCH and Kendal college secure paid roles after graduation.
