Mencap Training Academy

Delivering supported internships to people aged 16-24 with a learning disability, to make the transition from education into work.

Register your interest

Mencap Training Academy

Mencap Training Academy logo

Mencap Training Academy is a specialist post 16 provider delivering supported internships. 

Mencap’s supported internship programmes deliver education and training to 16–24-year-olds with a learning disability or autism 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.

On the Mencap Training Academy website you can find lots more information about all our programmes. 

Visit the Mencap Training Academy website  

White space

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 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.

See the employers we work with  

Classroom learning

Our tutors run sessions in classrooms, covering topics like how to find and apply for jobs, communication skills and workplace behaviours. We can also help learners work towards English and maths qualifications.

"Learners learn and work in friendly and nurturing environments where tutors and skills coaches care about them and their futures" - Ofsted, October 2024.

Where can I find a Mencap supported internship?

Supported internship learners are required to attend the locations of the classroom learning elements of our supported internship and pre-internship programmes for 2-days a week. The rest of the week is spent at their work experience placement.

Currently we hold programmes in:

  • Birmingham
  • Northamptonshire
  • Staffordshire
  • Worcestershire
  • Central London
  • North west London
  • South west London
  • West London.

To learn more about each programme, including addresses and contact details visit the Mencap Training Academy website.

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 feel ready to complete up to 420 hours of work experience in a year, there is an option to take our pre-internship programme. 

Like the supported internship, the pre-internship programme runs for 1-year from September to July. 

Pre-internship learners complete more classroom activities (around 4 days a week) than those on supported internships, with more limited work experience and employer engagement. 

The aim of the pre-internship programme is for learners to develop their skills and confidence so they are ready to progress to the supported internship programme the following year. 

Our pre-internship study programme is currently available in Birmingham, Northamptonshire, Staffordshire, as well as central, north-west, and south-west London. 

Contact your local programme coordinator for more information.

Our Ofsted rating

Ofsted conducted a full inspection of The Mencap Training Academy's provision in October 2024, and rated our overall effectiveness as 'Good' in their report. 

Inspectors found "Learners learn and work in friendly and nurturing environments where tutors and skills coaches care about them and their futures" and that "[staff] provide effective support in lessons and at work placements so that learners can achieve their goals."

White space
Training Academy
White space
Questions and answers about Mencap supported internships

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. 

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 (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. 

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 . 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. 

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.

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.

The government 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 to apply to your local authority for an EHCP. 

We currently offer supported internship programmes in:

  • Birmingham:
    Lewis Building, Bull Street, Birmingham B4 6AF
    Heartlands Hospital, Bordesley Green East, Birmingham B9 5SS  (the location of our employer-led programme)
     
  • Northamptonshire
    Suite 2, Charles House, 61-69 Derngate, Northampton NN1 1UE
     
  • Staffordshire
    Unity E and F, Stowe Court, Stowe Street, Lichfield WS13 6AQ
    MoD, Beaconside, Stafford ST18 0AQ  (the location of our employer-led programme)
     
  • Worcestershire
    County House, St Mary Street, Worcester WR1 1HB
     
  • Central London
    80, Holloway Road, London N7 8JG
    100, Victorian Embankment, London EC4 0DY (the location of our employer-led programme)
     
  • North west London
    Unit 3, 30 Friern Park, North Finchley N12 9DA
     
  • South west London
    Units 3 and 4, Parc House Studios, 25-37 Cowleaze Road, Kingston Upon Thames KT2 6DZ
     
  • West London
    Saunders House, 3rd Floor, 52-53 The Mall, London W5 3TA.

How helpful is this page?