Our employer-led supported internship in Staffordshire
Learners on our employer-led supported internship in Staffordshire complete up to 900 hours of
work experience
Work
experience
Experience is when you have learned or tried something before.
is when you try out a job to help you learn new skills.
between September and July. Learners are based permanently at a single site.
Learners complete work experience with ESS, a company who provide catering, cleaning and facilities management services at the Ministry of Defence-ran Beaconside barracks in Stafford.
The programme is also delivered in partnership with a charity called DFN Project Search.
What kind of work do learners do with ESS?
Learners complete a series of work experience placements in different departments with ESS at the Beaconside site. These are:
- Cleaning
- Stores (stocking shelves and keeping track of stock)
- Kitchen
- Retail (working in the cafeteria and on-site Costa Coffee)
- Combined mess (a space where officers live and socialise)
A typical day on this programme
- 9am to 10am - classroom learning focused on employabiltiy skills
- 10am to 3.30pm - work experience supported by a Mencap Training Academy skills coach
- 3.30pm to 4pm - classroom time to reflect on the days activities.
How do I enrol?
To express an interest in joining our employer-led supported internship in Staffordshire and to start the enrolment process, please complete our online expression of interest form.
Please specify that your interested in an employer-led supported internship and select ESS from among the list of employers.
If you or the person you are enquiring on behalf of are eligible for a supported internship, then a member of the team will work to get in touch with you within 14 working days.
Before we can agree to enrol learners, we will need to see a copy of the young person's EHCP and to meet with them to discuss why they want to enrol on the programme, as well as their skills, needs and interests.
Our Staffordshire prospectus
You can find out more about all our programmes in Staffordshire in our 2025/26 prospectus.
Learners on this programme are based permanently at the Ministry of Defence's Beaconside site in Stafford. The Newell Avenue bus stop is nearby (0.3 miles) from where you can catch the 11 bus. It is 1.8 miles from Stafford station.
We understand that some people may not have much experience of travelling on their own and may feel nervous about finding their way to the Beaconside stie.
You will have the chance to visit the site before starting on the course as part of the enrolment process so potential learners can start to familiarise themselves with the journey then.
You may also be able to get some travel support before joining the course from your local council.
For Staffordshire residents, visit https://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/Education/School-Transport/Under-16/SEN-Travel/Independent-travel-training.aspx
For Stoke-on-Trent residents, visit https://www.stoke.gov.uk/info/20045/special_educational_needs_and_disabilities/654/post_16_transport
Mencap can also provide travel training for up to 6 weeks at the start of the course.
If you would like to enquire about enrolling on our employer-led supported internship in Staffordshire, then the best way to start the process is by completing our online expression of interest form.
However, if you would like to get in touch with a member of the team directly, then please contact the programme coordinator in Staffordshire, Sarah Fletcher.
07970 102 610
For general enquiries, you can also contact: employment.support@mencap.org.uk