What is a supported internship?
The supported internship programme is a collaborative initiative between the Princess Alexandra Hospital and Harlow College, offering a structured transition into employment for young people with learning disabilities, autism spectrum conditions, or both.
The internship is designed to build confidence, develop skills, and open doors to meaningful work opportunities.
What does it involve?
During the programme, which runs for a full academic year, interns spend four days a week on placement within hospital departments, supported by a dedicated job coach, and one day a week at Harlow College consolidating their learning and developing further employability skills.
Interns rotate through two to three different placement areas, gaining varied experience in a range of real, meaningful job roles within the organisation, helping them to build the skills and confidence needed to successfully apply for future employment opportunities.
Placements are available in a wide range of areas such as Portering, Sterile Services, OPAL Unit, Pharmacy, the Alexandra Restaurant and many other departments.
How does it work?
Interns are matched to their placements in terms of skills, abilities and interests, which differ for each Intern.
The Intern is supported by their Job Coach, who works alongside them in each department, helping them to learn the skills required for each placement and slowly withdrawing support as the Intern is able to perform the tasks and work independently.
The department manager also plays a key role in supporting the intern in the workplace, identifying suitable employment opportunities and communicating these to the job coach. Appropriate workplace mentors are also chosen by the manager to provide support to the intern throughout their time on the placement
Who can apply?
To be eligible to apply for the programme you need to be:
- aged between 18 – 24 at the start of the academic year
- have a current Education Health Care Plan (EHCP
- an independent traveller or undertake travel training
- aspire to move into paid employment on completing the programme
All the places have been filled for our September 2025 intake
We are currently recruiting for our January 2026 intake
To apply or to find out more please email: [email protected]