A government review, led by former minister Alan Milburn, is expected to propose a substantial expansion of specialist internships for young people with special educational needs. The recommendation aims to address the growing youth jobs crisis in the UK.
Mr Milburn, who is leading a review of young people and work, stated that supported internships should be scaled up to tackle what he described as "devastating" joblessness rates for young people with a learning disability, autism, or mental illness. While nationally as few as 5% of some groups of young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) secure permanent jobs, employment rates for those completing supported internship schemes can reach 70%.
The UK currently has nearly 1 million 16- to 24-year-olds classified as NEET (not in employment, education or training), marking a 10-year high. Mr Milburn's initial report in May warned that without urgent government action, the number of NEETs could rise by 25% to 1.25 million by the early 2030s.
Supported internships are year-long programmes offering tailored onsite work experience and job coaching for 16- to 24-year-olds with education, health, and care plans (EHCPs). Employers involved in these schemes include the NHS, Asda, and Amazon. Currently, there are approximately 4,500 supported internships in England.