Who we are:  

Ellingham is a charity that works with people who have disabilities to enable them to fulfil their potential, and get paid employment.

Ellingham has been doing this since 1984 and are thought of as experts in the field of work.

They have a team of dedicated trained professionals who are all experienced in supporting people with disabilities to find work and be successful in the workplace.

What we do: 

Offer specialist transition programmes for young people aged 16-25 who have special educational needs and/or learning disabilities. 

We will help you find a suitable progression route and support you along your transition journey at a pace suited to you. 

We provide specialist support to help young people gain skills, work experience and paid employment.

Ellingham - Supported Internships for young people in Hackney

This is a one year supported internship programme for people with special educational needs and/or disabilities aged 16 - 25.

During the internship the dedicated team at Ellingham help: 

• Provide expert support and training to prepare for real-world work settings.
• Create a pathway towards a paid job.
• Employer based experience gained by working in an environment matched to your interests and aspirations.
• Support to gain skills needed for work by learning in a real workplace with support from a qualified job coach.

Course information

Ellingham - Supported Internships for young people in Hackney lasts 1 year.

The programme has a flexible structure, dependent on individual need, but may be broken down into the following:

• 4 months in pre-employment training - preparation and goal setting
• 6 months in bespoke work placement with local employer
• 2 months support to gain paid employment following the programme

Learners attend two days per week.Young people receive training on site at Ellingham and on their work placement.

• One to one and group sessions, based at Ellingham
• Learning in the workplace (on placement with local employer)

Travel Training is included as part of the course and is available to all participants, it is provided by Ellingham specialist staff, for as long as it is required.

 Job coaches are part of the support provided on this training course. 

 Staff are trained to provide support using systematic instruction. 

All our job coaches have undergone TSI training, delivered in house by the Supported Internships Programme Manager who is a specialist in this field.  It is non accredited. 

What skills will the young person be developing?  

The programme is designed to help participants gain the skills they need for work through learning in a real workplace. Key skills needed for work include:

• independence
• timekeeping
• personal presentation
• appropriate work behaviours
• customer service
• interaction with colleagues
• travel, and
• practical work tasks related to individual roles,

Course activities include young people being supported to undertake a realistic role at a commercial employer in their local community. They may begin with simple tasks and build skills to take on additional duties over time.

We set up bespoke placements – individually tailored to the requirements of young people on the course. 

More than one placement may be offered if necessary.

The delivery team will set up bespoke placements for all learners’ suited to individual abilities. They will have the chance to gain work experience and develop employment skills by working in a commercial business environment matched to their interests and aspirations.

Towards the end of the course participants receive 1-2-1 support from Ellingham’s specialist advisers to gain paid employment.

Progression options after the course:

Progression options after the training include:

• Paid employment
• Traineeships
• Apprenticeships

If a young person does not get a job at the end of the course they may be signposted to our other SEND programmes to continue receiving support with this.

We currently also run an Education and Skills Funding Agency NEET (not in education, employment or training) programme for those aged 16-25 with SEND.

To find out more about Ellingham please visit the website via the link at the top of this entry.