Hackney Project SEARCH Supported Internship @ Hackney Council

Service details

Do you live in Hackney and have a disability and or a health condition?


Hackney Council’s Supported Employment Service can help you find work matched to your individual needs and interests. One of the ways we offer this is through a Supported Internship programme. Our partners for Supported Internships are DFN Project SEARCH, Hackney Education and BSiX 6th Form College.


About the programme...

Hackney Council’s Project Search Internship Programme helps young people with SEND (special educational needs and disability) develop real work skills, in a real work environment. These Supported Internships are for young people who are autistic or who have learning disabilities and an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). 

Young people on the programme are based on site at Hackney Council. They take part in 3 work placements in different departments throughout the academic year, September through to July.

During the placements they will gain workplace skills as well as a qualification (Work Skills Entry Level 3)

When the programme finishes, each intern will work with a Supported Employment Advisor who will provide further support to make sure they find paid work.

For further information find Hackney's Supported Internship Programme Prospectus here

Watch this short film of a virtual tour of both venues where the internships take place.


How long is the course?

This Project Search Hackney Council Supported Internship is a programme lasts 10 months. It runs during term time from 9am to 3:30pm daily.

Interns complete an employability skills training session for 1 hour in the morning (9am-10am) before going to their work placements until 3 pm.

After the daily work placement from 3pm to 3:30pm a half-hour session provides an opportunity for interns to:

  • feedback on their day
  • talk through how they feel
  • raise any concerns related to the activities completed that day

Interns complete a bespoke induction at Hackney Council for the first 2 weeks of the programme.

Each intern will take part in 3 different placements. The purpose of these is to build the necessary skills to be able to get a job they want by the end of the programme.

Each young person accepted onto the programme will have a suitable placement arranged for them each term.


Is travel training included as part of the course?

Travel training is not offered as part of the course but the Job Coaches will be working with parent-carers to ensure that a plan is in place to support the young person to travel to and from the programme.

If eligible this may be support with applications for a Freedom Pass.


Do you provide Job Coaches?

Yes. Both the Job Coach and the Tutor for this programme are based on site and provide individualised support to interns on placements. The Job Coach and Tutor will support learning on placements and within Hackney Council in an on-site training room.


What training do staff have to provide support for young people with SEND?

Project SEARCH delivers training in teaching and job coaching skills to staff on the programme. There are two different kinds of training:

  • Basic (coaches complete this before they start on the programme)
  • Advanced (for coaches to complete after having experience of working with Project SEARCH interns)

Is the training accredited?

Yes. The training and qualification - Work Skills Entry Level 3 - are accredited.

They are delivered by a local college, Bsix.


What skills will the young person be developing?

Project SEARCH interns are not volunteers and complete meaningful work in integrated work settings.

Young people on the programme will be developing skills necessary to get the job they want. This includes development of soft skills such as communication and confidence alongside specific skills related to a particular role such as data entry.


What work activities will the young people be taking part in?

Young people will take part in a variety of activities for example customer service, admin, and communications. They may be making phone calls, completing filing tasks, liaising with various departments including the Mayor's Office, HR and Hackney Museum.

Different work placement are offered in different department and options may include:

  • Building Maintenance
  • Business Support
  • Temporary Accommodation
  • Parks
  • Legal and Governance Service
  • Housing
  • Hackney Museum
  • ICT
  • Hackney Libraries
  • Property Asset Management
  • Planning Enforcement
  • Print Room
  • HR
  • Adult Services
  • Key employers who work in partnership with the council such as GLL who offer a range of placements in their gyms

How will interns know how they are doing on the programme?

As well as daily feedback opportunities each department will provide evaluation feedback twice every term. This is used to set individualised developmental targets for the young person.

Job Coaches will meet with parents and carers twice every term to discuss the young person’s progress and work collaboratively with parents and carers to ensure their success.


At the end of the programme are young people supported with finding a permanent work?

Yes. Interns are supported throughout the programme to explore work opportunities.

When the programme ends a Supported Employment Advisor will work with local employers to find suitable job opportunities for the young person.

If the young person has not secure a job at the end of the course they the Supported Employment Service will continue to work with them to identify suitable opportunities.

Possible progression or training options after the training include paid employment or an apprenticeship.

SEND Local Offer

Training and Experience

Hackney Supported Employment service is a member of BASE (British Association for Supported Employment). 

Training accreditation - Project SEARCH is a model used across the world.

Training provided to Job Coaches helps develop the necessary skills for them to be able to deliver coaching, develop placements and work effectively with department managers as well as the interns.

Local Offer Age Bands
Young Adults 18 - 25
SEN Provision Type
  • Targeted
  • Specialist

Who to contact

Telephone
020 8356 5700 (ask for Supported Employment) 020 8356 5700 (ask for Supported Employment)
E-mail
intern@hackney.gov.uk
Website
opportunities.hackney.gov.uk/
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Where to go

Address
Hackney Service Centre
1 Hillman Street
Hackney
London
Postcode

E8 1DY

View E8 1DY on a map
Venue Notes

Buses: 30, 38, 388, 55, 106, 236, 242, 253, 276, 277, D6

Train: London Fields, Hackney Central, Hackney Downs

Limited disabled parking available in Hillman Street and Reading Lane. 

Time / Date Details

Time of day
  • Morning
  • Afternoon
Session Information
10 month programme
Term-time supported internship September to July
9am - 3:30pm

Other details

Who is eligible?
  • Young people age 18-24, with EHC Plans
  • Young people who have a Learning Disability
  • Young people who are autistic
Referral required?

Yes

Referral Details

Apply online here.  

If you have any questions or need help applying please contact the service by phone. 

020 8356 5700 (ask for Supported Employment)

What to do if you have a complaint

If you have any feedback about the service you received do discuss it with the worker or manager in the service. They will listen to you and try to resolve any problems or look at how to deliver the service differently. 

The named contact for this service is richard.allen@hackney.gov.uk

If this does not address you concern you can raise it formally using the London Borough of Hackney complaints procedure

Feedback from parents and others who have used this service

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