Councillor Susan O’Brien Visits Supported Interns at Hillingdon Hospital

Councillor Susan O’Brien, Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education at Hillingdon Council, recently visited Hillingdon Hospital to see the Supported Internship programme in action.

While Councillor O’Brien regularly meets interns placed within the council, this was her first visit to the hospital – offering a chance to see a different side of the programme and how it operates in a busy NHS setting.

During the visit, she toured several departments where interns are currently gaining hands-on experience, including portering, the paediatric ward and the discharge lounge. Each placement plays a vital role in the day-to-day running of the hospital, giving interns the opportunity to build real skills in a real working environment.

Councillor O’Brien spent time speaking directly with the interns, asking about their roles, what they enjoy most and how they are finding their placements. These conversations highlighted not only the practical skills being developed, but also the growing confidence and independence of each young person.

“Programmes like this don’t just change lives, they open doors to employment and show exactly what young people with SEND can achieve when given the right opportunity.”

As a strong advocate for creating meaningful employment opportunities for young people with SEND, Councillor O’Brien welcomed the impact of the programme and the role it plays in preparing interns for the world of work.

The visit reinforced the importance of partnerships between education providers, local authorities and employers in creating inclusive pathways into employment, the difference these opportunities make, both to individuals and to the organisations they support.