Intern Pathways
Following a consultation with the young person, our specialist team will assess their needs and decide which of our two pathways is best suited to them and their individual requirements.
Our intern pathways are divided into small groups. Within these groups ages are mixed dependent upon need. This works well for our interns and they develop together and support each other.
Pre-Internships
Interns join Lighthouse Futures Trust as either a Pre- or Supported Intern. For most the Pre-Intern pathway lasts for one year before they are ready (and the right age) to move on to a being Supported Intern. Those who we feel would benefit from a second year of the Pre-Intern programme, will join Pre 2 and move to a supported internship the following year. Pre-interns are in college (Carlton House) four days a week.
Supported Internships
After completing taster days (called ‘Inspiration Days’) with a few of our employers, interns choose their preferred role. With a job coach and trained work buddy at hand, the interns then move into their supported internship which lasts for one academic year. Supported Interns are in work for three or four days a week and in college for one or two days.




Young people join us from a variety of places, and often they come with very different needs. We work with them to understand where they are with their education, learning style, and what on-going support and reasonable adjustments they may need, both in college and a future workplace.
Our interns research and try out different roles to understand what they might like to do. We visit workplaces, ask questions, and learn about the world of work. On top of this, as well as continuing to develop everyone’s English and maths, we encourage interns to grow in their independence so they can lead a fuller life outside of college.
As they move through their journey, interns start to grow in independence and college-based skills. Comfortable in college and external club environments as well as a range of workplaces, interns also grow in their social skills.
Interns put what they’ve learned to practice at their supported internship with one of our employers. Their internship follows the academic year and is supported by one or two days a week back at college. Job coaches and work buddies support interns as they get a taste of working life and build their employability skills.

We say a fond farewell to those students who have successfully secured a position with their employer or elsewhere. Not all employers are able to offer their supported interns a position, and those interns return to college as ‘Associates’ and are supported to look for, apply and interview for roles.






