Supported Internship Programme for Care Leavers

NHS England is undertaking preliminary market engagement to inform the development of a future procurement for a Supported Internship Programme for care-experienced young people. The programme aims to support care-experienced young people aged 16 to 25 who are economically inactive, have the right to work in the UK, and are receiving Universal Credit or other eligible benefits, by providing paid internship opportunities within NHS organisations.
NHS England is seeking feedback from interested organisations on the proposed delivery model and market capability. The appointed provider, partnership, or consortium would be expected to support programme mobilisation, develop local delivery partnerships, recruit and retain eligible participants, provide coaching and mentoring, and deliver training and support for line managers. The programme is expected to recruit 350 eligible participants across Greater Manchester, Cheshire and Merseyside, and/or Birmingham, Solihull and the Black Country.
The programme will be delivered as part of a Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT), with 175 participants receiving the supported internship intervention and 175 participants receiving an alternative support offer. The purpose of the trial is to assess the effectiveness and value for money of the model in improving employment outcomes for care-experienced young people. Organisations with relevant experience of supporting disadvantaged young people into employment, delivering coaching and mentoring services, working with employers, and supporting participant engagement and retention are encouraged to contribute to this engagement exercise.
The information gathered through this preliminary market engagement will help shape the service requirements, delivery model, procurement strategy, and specification ahead of any future formal procurement process.
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