The North East and Yorkshire (NEY) Supported Internships Programme makes up part of the portfolio of the NEY Multiprofessional Workforce and Education Team.
This team has delivered a significant programme of work during 2025–2026, despite major organisational change, uncertainty, workforce pressures and the ongoing transition of NHS England structures. Throughout this period, the team has remained focused, resilient and collaborative, continuing to support safe, effective and inclusive care through regional leadership, partnership working and practical workforce support.
Key achievements include: strengthening safe staffing assurance across the region, progressing the CNO research strategy through the FORGE initiative and wider research networks, expanding the Next Generation Nursing programme and widening access into careers, sustaining and growing Supported Internships;, scaling Stay and Thrive nationally and across professional groups, developing the PNA CPD Faculty, supporting providers towards the National Preceptorship Quality Mark, improving Enhanced Therapeutic Observations of Care, supporting newly qualified registrants into employment, and embedding digital approaches such as the Adult Critical Care STEPs rollout.
As a team, we have adapted to challenge whilst continuing to deliver meaningful impact. Through shared commitment, innovation and strong relationships with systems, providers, education partners and national colleagues, the team has supported workforce attraction, retention, development, inclusion and education reform across multiple professions.
Despite the pressures faced, the team has achieved substantial progress, built strong foundations for 2026–2027, and shown the value of working together with purpose, compassion and determination.
The Supported Internship programme itself was developed by NHS England in partnership with Employment is for Everyone at Speakup Self Advocacy, and Rotherham Opportunities College, with the aim of widening access into the NHS workforce for young people with learning difficulties, disabilities and/or autism. The programme provides meaningful, supported administration placements for young people aged 16–24 with SEND and an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). We are now into our second year of the programme and we have supported 5 young people to develop their employability skills, with two out of three of Cohort 1 now in paid employment. Cohort 2 are due to graduate in July 2026.
