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To find out more about bringing an intern into your team email carolyn.scott@sutton.gov.uk.
How long does the programme last?
It will run from September to July (one academic year). Interns will complete several different work rotations over the year.
How do the rotations work?
Over the course of the programme the interns will complete 10-week ‘rotations’. The programme is designed so that interns will move departments with each rotation, however, it is not obligatory. If both the host employer and the intern in a particular rotation felt that it was working well, it may well be that an intern could remain in that rotation rather than moving on.
Ideally, departments would be able to offer three rotations across the year, however, it may be that some departments are only able to offer one or two rotations.
Do I need to write a job description?
Unlike work experience, supported interns should be completing tasks that would ordinarily need doing within the team. Employers will already have a job description for roles within their department and a job coach from Mencap can work with departments to tailor those job descriptions to suit a supported intern (job carving).
How will this work if we are still remote working?
The interns wouldn’t be starting their first work rotation until late September/October this year. However, if departments are still working remotely full or part time, this doesn’t exclude the possibility of interns working within that team. The job coach will work with the interns to ensure that they too are able to work remotely where necessary.
What level of need will the students have?
The students on the programme will be working towards a variety of different levels of ability, but at a minimum will be working from Entry 3- level 2.
What level of support will be provided?
Interns will be supported by their job coach and lecturer from Mencap. Job coaches will learn the role and tasks required ahead of time and will then support the interns to learn the role gradually stepping back so that the interns can work independently.
Mencap are also able to run workshops and training sessions for staff within host departments.
What level of support do I need to give the intern?
The intern will be supported by their Job Coach and lecturer. The intern would need to be assigned a mentor in the department where they are working, who they can go to with any concerns.
What is the role of the Job Coach?
The Job Coach will provide in-work support to interns. They will liaise with department managers within LBS to create job roles for interns.
They will learn the various tasks that the interns will have to complete within their job roles. They will then break this down to a simple set of tasks for the intern to be able to understand. Job Coaches will work with Tutors to job-match interns to a job role that is most suited to them based on a number of variables such as:
a) Job preference/ interest
b) Ability to understand and carry out all the tasks within job role
c) Previous work experience
What is the role of the lecturer?
The lecturer will be available to support the intern throughout their course. They will be working with the intern to develop their employability skills. They will have weekly up- dates with Job Coaches and will liaise regularly with the project lead at Sutton.
What is the role of the mentor?
The mentor will be from the host employer and will be working within the intern’s department, they will be a point of contact for any ad hoc queries from the intern. We do recommend where possible you meet with your Intern once a week for no longer than 15- 30 for minutes for those ad hoc questions and for some people this can reduce as and when needed.
What if the requirements of my department differ from the typical day described ?
The typical day described is just an example. If a department required an intern to arrive by 9:00 am or needed an intern to work over the lunch period then that wouldn’t be an issue. The aim of the programme is to prepare students for paid work and the responsibilities that entails.
How will holidays work?
The supported internship programme is a college course and as such the usual term timetable usually applies. However, the job coaches work through the holidays so if a department required an intern to work through a usual term break this could be accommodated. The aim of the programme is to prepare students for paid work and not having holidays at the usual time might be a part of that.
What do I get from offering a job role to an intern?
The opportunity to work with an intern through their internship/rotation within your department
To promote the Disability Inclusion Policy
To learn about Autism first-hand by supporting an intern on the spectrum or with learning difficulties
An extremely committed member of staff who will receive all the necessary training by a job coach.
What paperwork do I need to complete?
The Job Coach and Tutor will ask you to complete some paperwork to show how the intern is progressing and performing within the team this is a minimal amount.
Will it be additional workload for me?
There will be minimal work from taking on an intern. The Mencap staff will be on hand to support the interns on the job however, the benefit in seeing an Intern develop and move onto paid employment is extremely rewarding for the mentor.
I’m interested in offering a placement to an intern, what’s next?
If you are interested in offering a placement within your department then please email carolyn.scott@sutton.gov.uk. We can organise a meeting with yourself to discuss what job roles might be appropriate for a supported intern and to discuss the next steps.
What does a typical day look like?
9:00am
Employability Skills in the training room with Mencap Lecturer
10:00am
Work rotations in LBS department (supported by Job Coach and Tutor from Mencap)
12:00pm
Break for lunch
1:00pm
Work rotations in LBS department (supported by Job Coach and Tutor from Mencap)
3:00pm
Return to training room for self-evaluation and feedback with Mencap Lecturer
3:30pm
Depart
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