DFN Project Search

Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council is seeking to commission high-quality Supported Internship (SI) provision for young people aged 16 – 24 with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), in line with the SEND Code of Practice (2015) and Preparing for Adulthood (PfA) outcomes. The supported internship programmes will be aligned to the DFN Project Search model working in partnership with the local authority and host employers at two sites in the borough including Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust and Asda Superstore in Oldbury. Supported Internships form a core component of the local authorities’ strategy to improve post 16 pathways, increase sustainable employment, and reduce long term NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) and adult social care dependency. The commissioned provider(s) will be registered with the appropriate regulatory body and be subject to their inspection framework, they will work collaboratively with the local authority, the host business, other local employers, education providers, and families to deliver a robust, inclusive, and outcome driven SI programme(s).