Mencap Training Academy
Mencap Training Academy is a specialist post 16 provider delivering
supported internships
A work placement for young people with additional needs, where they get support from a job coach.
. Mencap’s supported internship programme delivers
education
Education is when you learn things. When you fill in a form to get a job, education means you write where you went to school, college or university.
and training to 16–24-year-olds with a
learning disability
A learning disability is to do with the way someone's brain works. It makes it harder for someone to learn, understand or do things.
who have an education, health and care plan.
Our vision is to effectively support more people with a learning disability to move into paid work.
Who can do a supported internship?
To join a supported internship you need to:
- be aged 16 to 24
- have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)
- want to find a job.
There are no qualification requirements.
What does a supported internship involve?
With a Mencap supported internship you will get to do
work experience
Work
experience
Experience is when you have learned or tried something before.
is when you try out a job to help you learn new skills.
and complete classroom learning about the world of work and skills for the workplace. We also provide additional support for those who need it.
Work experience
Most of the programme is work-based, with learners required to complete at least 420 hours of work experience.
We partner with lots of different employers who offer work experience to our learners. Mencap skills coaches support learners in the workplace, helping them develop their skills and confidence.
Visit our 'Who we work with' page to learn more about employers we work with.
Classroom learning
Our tutors run sessions at our classrooms that cover topics like how to find and apply for jobs, communication skills and workplace behaviours. We also help learners work toward English and maths qualifications if this is needed.
"Learners learn and work in friendly and nurturing environments where tutors and skills coaches care about them and their futures" - Ofsted, October 2024.
Additional support
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We can also provide extra support should you need it like travel training.
We also arrange enrichment activities like sports and trips to museums and heritage sites that support learning and help to develop your
independence
Independence means doing things on your own. Making your own choices.
and confidence.
Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance
Careers
guidance
Guidance means being given clear instructions to be able to do something well.
meetings are available to all learners on our supported internships, with all learners meeting at least once with our careers leader, Maggi Pugh.
Where can I find a supported internship?
Locations where we deliver the classroom learning elements of our programmes are listed below. Supported internship learners are required to attend these settings 2-days a week. They will then spend the rest of the week in their work experience placement
You can contact the team most local to you using the contact details listed under each location to learn more about the programme and how to enrol, or you can start the enrolment process by completing an expression of interest form.
Birmingham
- Lewis Building, Bull Street, Birmingham B4 6AF
- Heartlands Hospital, Bordesley Green East, Birmingham B9 5SS *
Programme Coordinator: Mia Smith
Email: mia.smith@mencap.org.uk
Telephone: 07814 938 821
*This is the location of our employer-led programme delivered in partnership with DFN Project Search and Heartlands Hospital.
Northamptonshire
Suite 2, Charles House, 61-69 Derngate, Northampton NN1 1UE
Programme Coordinator: Anthony Woode
Email: anthony.woode@mencap.org.uk
Telephone: 07483 363 658
Staffordshire
Programme Coordinator: Sarah Fletcher
Email: sarah.fletcher@mencap.org.uk
Telephone: 07970 102 610
*This is the location of our employer-led programme delivered in partnership with DFN Project Search and ESS.
Worcestershire
County House, St Mary Street, Worcester WR1 1HB
Programme Coordinator: Diane Hughes
Email: Diane.Hughes@mencap.org.uk
Telephone: 07941 377 734
Central London
Programme Coordinator: Tito Gbadamosi
Email: Tito.Gbadamosi@mencap.org.uk
Telephone: 07813 723 165
*This is the location of our employer-led programme delivered in partnership with DFN Project Search and Sodexo.
North west London
Unit 3, 30 Friern Park, North Finchley N12 9DA
Programme coordinator: Megan Clark
Email: Megan.Clark@mencap.org.uk
Telephone: 0208 3461 237
South west London
Units 3 and 4, Parc House Studios, 25-37 Cowleaze Road, Kingston Upon Thames KT2 6DZ
Programme Coordinator: Lucinda Morgan-Evans
Email: Lucinda.Morgan-Evans@mencap.org.uk
Telephone: 07813 363 045
West London
Saunders House, 3rd Floor, 52-53 The Mall, London W5 3TA
Programme Coordinator: Mohammed Mullick
Email: Mohammed.Mullick@mencap.org.uk
Telephone: 07966 134 737
Unable to find a supported internship near you?
Work experience can potentially be arranged with employers closer to learners' homes.
We may be able to take learners from other, nearby local authority areas.
Pre-internship programmes
For young people who want to find a job but do not yet feel ready to complete as much as 420 hours of work experience in a year, there is also the option to take our pre-internship programme. Like the supported internship, this is a 1-year programme running from September to July. Pre-internship learners, however, complete more classroom activities (around 4 days a week) with more limited work experience and employer engagement. The aim is for learners on these programmes to develop their skills and confidence so that they are ready to progress on to the supported internship programme the following year.
Our pre-internship study programme is currently available in Birmingham, Northamptonshire, Staffordshire, central, north west and south west London. Contact your local programme coordinator to find out more.
Who do I contact about a supported internship?
Please contact your nearest programme coordinator to find out more about programmes in your area and to discuss the enrolment process. Teams at each location aim to respond to all queries within 48 hours*. Alternatively, you can start the enrolment process by completing our online referral form.
If you do not receive a response within 48 hours, then please email either:
Joyce Tainton (Programme Manager for Northampton and Midlands)
or Hiba Momen (Programme Manager for London)
If you would like to compliment Mencap on our work, or to send us feedback about our supported internships, we'd love to hear from you. Please complete our compliments and complaints form.
Provider access statement
In line with the Baker Clause, any provider is encourage to contact us to discuss what they can offer our learners to develop their skills,
knowledge
Knowledge is knowing a lot about something.
and confidence, broaden their horizons and support them into the world of work. Read our statement.
Our Ofsted rating
Ofsted conducted a full inspection of The Mencap Training Academy's provision in October 2024, rating our overall effectiveness as 'Good'. Inspectors found "Learners learn and work in friendly and nurturing environments where tutors and skills coaches care about them and their futures (...) [staff] provide effective support in lessons and at work placements so that learners can achieve their goals."
Frequently asked questions
What is the cost of a supported internship?
You do not need to pay for a supported internship as they are funded by the Department for Education and local authorities.
Supported internships are free to people who meet the eligibility criteria.
What happens to my benefits if I am on a supported internship?
If you are on Universal Credit (UC) and are also claiming Personal Independence Payments (PIP) then you can also apply for a Work Capability
Assessment
An assessment is a way of finding out what help a person needs. When you have an assessment, you might have to go to a meeting or fill in a form.
(WCA) from your local job centre. Once this is agreed, learners can join a supported internship without their benefits being affected. This process can take time, however, so it is important to start your application to join the programme as early as possible before the start of the academic year in September.
If you are only claiming UC and not PIP, then this will need to cease before you can start a supported internship.
Will I get paid on a supported internship?
Interns are not paid while on the programme.
The aim of a supported internship is to help learners develop skills, behaviours and experiences that will help them to secure paid
employment
Employment means having a job.
. This may be with an employer that you do work experience while on the programme, or we we will help you to apply for other opportunities.
How much work experience will I get on a supported internship?
The Department for Education expects learners on supported internships to complete at least 420 hours of work experience.
If you think you are not yet ready to complete this number of hours, then we also run two-year versions of the programme in Barnet, Islington, Kingston, Northampton and Waltham Forest. During the first year of these longer programmes, you will have more classroom learning with more limited engagement with employers. This will help you prepare for the full Supported Internship the following year.
To find out more about our 2-year Supported Internships, please contact the programme coordinator in your area.
How long is a supported internship?
Supported internships are full time study programmes. You will attend classes and work experience throughout the week over the course of an academic year lasting from September to July.
If you feel you need more time and support before you can enter paid work or before you can complete 420 hours of work experience, then we also run two-year versions of the programme in some areas. During the first year of these longer programmes, you will have more classroom learning with more limited engagement with employers. This will help you prepare for the full supported internship the following year.
To find out more about our two-year supported internships, please contact the supported internship team in your area.
I have a learning disability but not an Education, Health and Care Plan, can I still do a supported internship?
The government
The Government are the people who run the country. The Government decide how much
tax
Tax is the money that pays for things like schools, hospitals and the police. There are different types of taxes like
income tax
Income tax is the money that is taken out of the money you earn every month. It helps to pay for things we all need like hospitals and schools.
,
VAT
VAT is also called Value Added Tax. VAT is the extra money you pay when you buy things. The money goes to the government to pay for things like schools and hospitals.
and
council tax
Council Tax is the money that people pay to the council. It helps to pay for things like social care (support for people), parks and dustbin collection.
.
people should pay and how things like the National Health Service (NHS) should work.
currently requires all learners on Supported Internships to have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).
In some cases, we may be able to support you in applying to your local authority for an EHCP.