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Supported internships

Our supported internships programme helps get young disabled people into work by providing them with direct employment experience.

A photo of five Family Fund members of staff next to supported intern Tom smiling at the camera. They are standing outside Family Fund office building.

We are committed to being a great place to work, for great people. Being inclusive in everything we do, and creating opportunities for individuals, are fundamental to that commitment.

That’s why in 2021, we started developing a supported internship programme to support young people with disabilities into work, in partnership with Blueberry Academy, a local education provider. We believe that everyone with a learning disability has the right to work, and receive the support they need to reach their potential.

What are supported internships?

Supported internships are study programmes for young people, aged 16 to 24, who have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) and want to move into employment, but need some extra support.

This scheme provides work experience for young people with disabilities so they can gain skills and develop in confidence. In brief, supported internships give young people an opportunity to take their first steps into the world of employment, build skills in the workplace, gain qualifications, and use these to potentially get a paid job.

Maria and a manager, working side by side
“I love working at Family Fund. I feel like I am doing something to help and change lives. At the end of the day I can think ‘well, I have done something good today’.”
Maria, supported intern

Supported internships at Family Fund

We want to make sure all young people receive the training, support and coaching they need to strive at work.

For this reason, each intern has a job coach from Blueberry Academy, as well as a job buddy and/or a manager at Family Fund. They also work as part of bigger teams and can meet and interact with many staff.

A young male intern wearing a yellow t-shirt is smiling and standing next to the Family Fund logo on a wall in an office
“The biggest thing I’ve learnt whilst working at Family Fund is how to write emails. Before I started my internship, I didn’t understand how emails worked. But now I know! Also, everyone is very nice, friendly, and excited to be here and work with you. Working here is good fun!”
Tom, supported intern

We offer supported internships in the following departments:

  • Grant delivery
  • Finance, audit and compliance
  • HR & Facilities
  • Partnerships, public affairs and family outcomes
  • Service delivery
  • Communications and marketing.
Charlotte and her job coach, laughing together in an office
“At Family Fund, all the staff are really nice and you can easily communicate with them. In fact, I love working here! I find it both fun and challenging.”
Charlotte, supported intern

Who are our internships aimed at?

Family Fund’s supported interns will need to:

If you are interested in joining our internship scheme, please talk to your job coach at Blueberry Academy to find out more!

Two ladies smiling wearing Family Fund lanyards
“I’ve learnt to be more confident with myself, being able to speak to other people I don’t know”
Kat, supported intern
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Alice's Supported Internship at Family Fund

Alice was a supported intern working in our Service delivery team in 2023. Our supported internships programme helps get young disabled people into work by providing them with direct employment experience.
Read Alice's blog