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It reports quantity and profile trends, enablers and challenges, outcomes for EHCP and Pilot interns, health and wellbeing impacts, and value for money considerations. 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We are particularly grateful to the Young Researchers Group who provided helpful feedback on design, approach and findings, and to providers of supported internships who were instrumental in the fieldwork and data collection, making significant efforts to ensure that young people’s and professionals’ voices were included in the evaluation. Many job coaches, employers and other professionals working with supported interns also took time out of their busy schedules to provide their views and feedback. The evaluation evidence is much richer and more insightful as a result of the engagement and support of all these stakeholders. We are also very grateful to the Internships Work consortium for their considerable time and sharing of information to inform the evaluation, and to DfE colleagues, particularly, Bethan Maynard-Travis, for their invaluable support and guidance throughout the project.  \nContents  \nList of tables 5  \nGlossary 6  \nExecutive summary 8  \nMethodology 8  \nKey findings 9  \nConclusions and recommendations 14  \nIntroduction 17  \nAbout supported internships 17  \nStrengthening of the supported internship programme 18  \nEvaluation aims 19  \nEvaluation approach 21  \nSurveys 22  \nQualitative fieldwork 24  \nSecondary data analysis 25  \nCosting of supported internships and value for money 26  \nMethodological considerations 28  \nReading this report 29  \nQuantity and growth of supported internships 31  \nThe number and profile of supported internships 32  \nEnablers of supported internship recruitment and engagement 33  \nFuture demand for supported internships 43  \nExperiences of supported internships 46  \nYoung people’s experiences of supported internships 46  \nEmployers’ experiences of supported internships 50  \nJob coaches’ perspectives on supported internships 52  \nEmbedding quality in supported internship programmes 54  \nExploring quality through SIQAF domains 54  \nProvider perspectives on changes in quality over the investment period 58  \nFacilitators of high quality provision 61  \nRole of the job coach 61  \nPerson-centred planning 62  \nCommitment to the supported internship programme 64  \nInternships Work activities 64  \nWork mentor and other colleagues 70  \nMeeting business needs 70  \nSupported internships Pilot 71  \nOutcomes for young people 73  \nEmployment outcomes and destinations over the investment period – EHCP interns 74  \nEmployment outcomes and destinations over the investment period – Pilot interns 77  \nKey factors contributing to employment outcomes 78  \nYoung people’s confidence 80  \nPreparation for work 81  \nPreparation for adulthood 83  \nParticipation in society 83  \nHealth and wellbeing 84  \nThe wider impact of supported internships and value for money 85  \nDemand for and acceptability of a supported internship costing tool – findings from the  \ncosting feasibility study 86  \nChallenges with recording supported internship costs 87  \nCost per intern 88  \nExploring value for money 88  \nSupported internship programme-systemic challenges and risks 97  \nSecuring sufficient supported internship placements 97  \nThe changing labour market 99  \nMisunderstanding and misconceptions about SEND 100  \nIntern readiness – interns with EHCP 101  \nIntern readiness – Pilot interns 103  \nParent and carer readiness 103  \nFunding and resources 105  \nAccurate and consistent messaging of supported internships 108  \nStaffing instability 109  \nSetting up new and extending supported internship provision 110  \nConclusions and recommendations 111  \nIncrease in the quantity and growth of supported internships 111  \nPerceived improvements in the quality of supported internships 112  \nEar","cbCaimVuQnJFGPZd","https://ap.wps.com/l/cbCaimVuQnJFGPZd","pdf",1066971,122,"English","# Executive summary\n## Methodology\n## Key findings\n# Conclusions and recommendations\n# Introduction\n## About supported internships\n# Strengthening of the supported internship programme\n## Evaluation aims\n## Evaluation approach\n# Experiences of supported internships\n## Young people’s experiences of supported internships\n## Employers’ experiences of supported internships\n## Job coaches’ perspectives on supported internships\n# Embedding quality in supported internship programmes\n## Exploring quality through SIQAF domains\n# Supported internships Pilot\n## Outcomes for young people\n# The wider impact of supported internships and value for money\n## Exploring value for money\n# Supported internship programme-systemic challenges and risks\n# Appendices\n## Appendix 1: Theory of Change","[{\"question\":\"What methods does the report use to evaluate the supported internship programme?\",\"answer\":\"It uses surveys, qualitative fieldwork, and secondary data analysis to gather evidence and triangulate findings.\"},{\"question\":\"Which groups provided perspectives in the evaluation?\",\"answer\":\"Young people, employers, job coaches, providers, parents or carers, and other professionals involved in supported internships contributed feedback.\"},{\"question\":\"How does the report assess outcomes and wider impacts?\",\"answer\":\"It covers employment outcomes and destinations over the investment period (including EHCP and Pilot interns) and evaluates health and wellbeing and other wider impacts alongside value for money considerations.\"}]","Evaluation of the Strengthening of the Supported Internship Programme - March 2026 - Research report | PDF",1792063936,307]