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When should I see the GP?

You should book a GP appointment if:

 - You feel sick and it's not getting better

 - You have pain or something on your body doesn’t look right

 - You feel very sad, worried, or upset a lot of the time

Why should I see a GP?

A GP (family doctor) can:

 - Help you feel better

 - Find out what’s wrong

 - Give you advice or medicine

How do I book an appointment?

You can:

 - Call your doctor’s surgery (ask a parent or carer to help)

 - Book online (your surgery may have a website or app)

 - Visit the surgery in person

When should I book it?

As soon as you feel something is wrong.

Don’t wait too long – it’s always OK to ask for help.

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You can get help from a GP for free, but you'll usually need to make an appointment.

Coronavirus update

To prevent the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) there have been changes to GP appointments.

But it's still important to get help from a GP if you need it.

You can contact your GP surgery by:

You can also order repeat prescriptions online.

Only visit a GP surgery if you have been told to. Find out how to get medical help from home.

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You can get help from a GP for free, but you'll usually need to make an appointment. To prevent the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) there have been changes to GP appointments. But it's still important to get help from a GP if you need it.

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What is Access to Work?

Access to Work is a government scheme designed to help people with disabilities or health conditions succeed in the world of work. Whether you’re finishing college, looking for your first job, or starting an apprenticeship, this scheme is here to make sure you have the support you need to thrive in the workplace. Work is an exciting step into adulthood, and Access to Work helps you make the most of your skills, confidence, and independence.

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Access to Work: get support if you have a disability or health condition

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Get help at work, including an Access to Work grant, if you have a disability or health condition - eligibility, how to apply.

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Learn about all the key things that are involved in applying to university from when to apply, your application and what happens once you apply.

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Applying for Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) – What You Need to Know

What is DSA?

 DSA helps cover extra costs you might have because of a disability, mental

health condition, or learning difficulty.

How do I apply?

 You apply through Student Finance (www.gov.uk/disabled-students-

allowances-dsas).

 You will need proof of your condition and might be asked to attend an

assessment.

Why apply for DSA?

 It helps pay for support like specialist equipment, software, or a study coach.

 It’s not a loan – you don’t have to pay it back.

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Disabled Students' Allowance ( DSA) is support to cover the study-related costs you have because of a mental health problem, long-term illness or any other disability.

This can be on its own or in addition to any student finance you get.

The type of support and how much you get depends on your individual needs - not your household income.

You do not need to pay back DSA.

What you'll get

2023 to 2024 academic year

Undergraduate and postgraduate students can get up to £26,291 a year for support.

2022 to 2023 academic year

Undergraduate and postgraduate students can get up to £25,575 a year for support.

What DSA can pay for

You can get help with the costs of:

specialist equipment, for example a computer if you need one because of your disability

non-medical helpers, for example a British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter or specialist note taker

extra travel to attend your course or placement because of your disability

other disability-related study support, for example having to print additional copies of documents for proof-reading

DSA does not cover disability-related costs you'd have if you were not attending a course, or costs that any student might have.

Buying a new computer

You may get a new computer if you're assessed as needing one because:

you do not already have one

your current one does not meet your study needs

When buying a new computer, you'll need to pay the first £200.

The DSA team will send you more information about this after your needs assessment.

Your 'needs assessment'

Once your eligibility for DSA is confirmed, Student Finance England may ask you to contact an assessment centre to work out what help you need.

This is known as a needs assessment. Do not book this until Student Finance England asks you to.

The assessment is paid for through any DSA entitlement you may have.

After the assessment, you'll get a report listing equipment and other support you can get for your course.

Do not buy any equipment until you've been assessed - you will not be reimbursed for it.

How DSA is paid

Money is paid either into your bank account or directly to the organisation providing the service or equipment.

You'll find out how your support will be paid to you after your needs assessment.

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Help if you're a student with a learning difficulty, health problem or disability

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Disabled Students' Allowance is extra money for higher education students - DSA1 forms, eligibility, how to apply, needs assessment.

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Student finance - student loans or student grants for tuition fees and living costs, extra help, student loan repayments.

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Applying for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) – What You Need to Know

What is PIP?

 PIP is a benefit for people who need help with daily living or getting around

due to a health condition or disability.

How do I apply?

 Call the PIP claim line (0800 917 2222) or start the process online

(www.gov.uk/pip).

 You’ll fill out a form and may be invited to an assessment.

Why apply for PIP?

 It can help with extra living costs and give you more independence.

 It’s not means-tested – you can apply even if you’re working or have savings.

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Personal Independence Payment ( PIP) can help with extra living costs if you have both:

You can get PIP even if you're working, have savings or are getting most other benefits.

You can also read about PIP in Welsh (Cymraeg).

How PIP works

There are 2 parts to PIP:

a daily living part - if you need help with everyday tasks

a mobility part - if you need help with getting around

Whether you get one or both parts and how much you get depends on how difficult you find everyday tasks and getting around.

Daily living part

You might get the daily living part of PIP if you need help with:

preparing food

eating and drinking

managing your medicines or treatments

washing and bathing

using the toilet

dressing and undressing

reading

managing your money

socialising and being around other people

talking, listening and understanding

Mobility part

You might get the mobility part of PIP if you need help with:

working out a route and following it

physically moving around

leaving your home

You do not have to have a physical disability to get the mobility part. You might also be eligible if you have difficulty getting around because of a cognitive or mental health condition, like anxiety.

How difficulty with tasks is assessed

The Department for Work and Pensions ( DWP) will assess how difficult you find daily living and mobility tasks. For each task they'll look at:

whether you can do it safely

how long it takes you

how often your condition affects this activity

whether you need help to do it, from a person or using extra equipment

Help with PIP

If you need help understanding or applying for PIP you can:

If you live in Scotland

You need to apply for Adult Disability Payment (ADP) instead of PIP.

If you currently get PIP, you'll be automatically moved to ADP by summer 2024.

When the move begins, you'll get letters from DWP and Social Security Scotland. Read more about the moving process.

If you move from Scotland to England or Wales

If you get ADP and move from Scotland to England or Wales, you must make a new claim for PIP instead.

Your ADP will stop 13 weeks after you move - apply for PIP as soon as possible after moving or your payments could be affected.

If you get Disability Living Allowance (DLA)

Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is being replaced by PIP for most adults. You'll keep getting DLA if:

you're under 16

you were born on or before 8 April 1948

If you were born after 8 April 1948, DWP will invite you to apply for PIP. You do not need to do anything until DWP writes to you about your DLA unless your circumstances change.

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Personal Independence Payment (PIP) replaces Disability Living Allowance (DLA) - how and when to claim, rates, eligibility.

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Getting Your National Insurance Number – What You Need to Know

What is a National Insurance Number?

 It’s a personal number you need to work, pay tax, or claim benefits in the UK.

How do I get one?

 Apply online at www.gov.uk/apply-national-insurance-number.

 You might be asked to prove your identity or attend an appointment.

Why is it important?

 You need it to start working or apply for certain government services.

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You can find your National Insurance number:

on a document you already have, for example a P60, payslip or letters about benefits

in your personal tax account

in your Apple or Google Wallet (if you've previously saved it there)

You can also use your personal tax account or HMRC app to download a letter that shows your National Insurance number.

Find your National Insurance number online

You can use this service if you:

need to find your National Insurance number

know your number, but need it on a letter

You'll need to sign in to use this service. If you do not already have sign in details, you'll be able to create them.

Proving your identity to use this service

You'll be told if you need to prove your identity when you sign in. This is to keep your details safe and normally involves using photo ID like a passport or driving licence.

If you cannot prove your identity, you may still be able to use the service to get a letter with your National Insurance number. HM Revenue and Customs ( HMRC) will post this to the address they have on record for you.

Find your number online

Other ways to get your National Insurance number

If you cannot find your National Insurance number on any of your documents or by using the online service, you can:

fill in form CA5403 online and post it to the address given at the end of the form

contact HMRC to get a letter confirming your National Insurance number - this can take up to 10 working days to arrive

HMRC will not tell you your National Insurance number over the phone or on webchat.

If you've never had a National Insurance number

You can apply for a National Insurance number if you've never had one.

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Information on how to find your National Insurance number and how to get a letter with your National Insurance number on.

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Using the Job Centre – What You Need to Know

What is the Job Centre?

 The Job Centre helps people find jobs and provides support with benefits and

training.

How do I contact them?

 Visit your local Job Centre or go online at www.gov.uk/contact-jobcentre-plus.

 You can also call 0800 169 0190 to make an appointment.

Why use the Job Centre?

 They offer job advice, help with CVs, interview tips, and can support you in

finding work or training.

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Applying for or Renewing Your Passport – What You Need to Know

Why do I need a passport?

 You need it to travel outside the UK and use it as ID for some things (like

getting a job).

How do I apply or renew?

 Apply online at www.gov.uk/apply-renew-passport.

 You’ll need a digital photo, proof of identity, and payment.

How long does it take?

 It usually takes up to 10 weeks, so apply early if you plan to travel.

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You can apply for, update, renew or replace a passport online.

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Click here to see tips on using loyalty cards to save money when shopping.

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If you're a budget-conscious shopper, your wallet is probably filled to the brim with loyalty cards. But are you taking full advantage of the perks?

With more and more shops fighting for your custom, loyalty cards and reward schemes are popping up left, right and centre to entice you in.

They might seem like a waste of time, but in some cases, you can make some serious savings just by showing a little bit of plastic (or an app) every time you reach the till – so make sure to take advantage of this.

Of course, not all loyalty cards are as good as each other, so we've ranked some of the most well-known ones by their value for money and given our reviews. You can thank us later.

Remember that stores have lots of sneaky tricks to get you to spend more money than you need to – stay savvy and know what to look out for.

Tesco Clubcard

How do you get Tesco Clubcard points?

You'll earn points on your Tesco Clubcard every time you make a purchase either online or in-store. You'll also earn points if you have a Tesco credit card or have an account with Tesco Mobile.

You'll earn one point for every £1 you spend (or one point for every £2 you spend on fuel).

How much are Clubcard points worth?

Every point is worth a penny when you're buying items in Tesco, but you can trade them in for discounts at a huge range of high street stores and brands, making them stretch even further.

You'll receive vouchers based on the number of points you've collected every three months (usually every February, May, August and November).

Or, you can sign up for Faster Vouchers on the Clubcard app or website to get your points converted into vouchers within 24 hours (except during the two-week period before your Clubcard statement's ready, which is issued at the same time as your vouchers).

You can either spend the vouchers in Tesco as they are or use the codes on the vouchers to spend them with one of Tesco's Reward Partners instead – often tripling the value of your points.

Best way to spend Clubcard points

Rather than using them in Tesco, we would definitely recommend cashing your points in for discounts with a Reward Partner to boost your points by up to three times.

For example, you could turn every 50p you have in points into £1.50 to spend in Zizzi, Prezzo, Pizza Express or other restaurants.

You could also exchange a £1 Clubcard voucher for £3 to spend on a 16–25 Railcard, making it even easier to get cheaper train tickets.

Extra ways to earn Clubcard points

Tesco Mobile – If you're a Tesco Mobile customer (including SIM only), you'll be racking up one Clubcard point for every £1 spent on your bill. Just make sure you register your Clubcard to your account.

Tesco Bank Credit Card – You'll collect one extra Clubcard point for every £4 spent in Tesco stores, and one point for every £8 spent outside of Tesco.

Tesco Pay+ – This app lets you store your own credit/debit and Tesco Clubcard in one place, so you can pay quickly at checkout and automatically collect your points.

Tesco surveys – We're big fans of paid surveys, and Tesco will give you 25 Clubcard points for completing a short survey on your latest shop with them. There are also 25 points on offer for finishing a survey with Shopper Thoughts.

Esso petrol stations – Fill your car up at any Esso forecourt with a Tesco shop and you'll earn one point for every £3 you spend on fuel. You can also get one point for every £1 spent on qualifying purchases at these destinations, including shop products and car washes.

Discounts with Clubcard Prices

As well as collecting points for vouchers, having a club card can also make your shopping bill a great deal cheaper. Tesco has marked selected products with Clubcard Prices of up to half price off. All you have to do is fill up your basket, scan your Clubcard, and they'll take the money off at the checkout.

What is Tesco Clubcard Plus?

Clubcard Plus, not to be confused with Tesco Pay+, is yet another way to shop with Tesco and reap extra benefits, including:

10% off two in-store shops a month

10% off selected Tesco brands (including F&F clothing and Go Cook)

Double data on any monthly Tesco mobile contracts

Access to Clubcard plus credit card.

Clubcard Plus is a monthly subscription costing £7.99. It can be cancelled at any time, and Tesco is offering a free one-month trial at the time of writing.

Drawbacks of the Tesco Clubcard

Tesco will deactivate your account if it's unused for more than two years. Most vouchers have an expiry of two years as well, although you can find the exact expiry date on your voucher.

Get your Tesco Clubcard »

Nectar card

Where can you collect Nectar points?

The Nectar card is best known as Sainsbury's loyalty card, but you can actually collect points from hundreds of different brands including Argos, eBay and Expedia. Please note that with many of these, you can only collect points when you shop online.

You can check out the full list of brands here.

At Sainsbury's, you'll earn one point for every £1 you spend. This varies across brands, though – a lot of stores offer two points per £1. The Nectar website will specify the rate for each store.

How much are Nectar points worth?

Again, how much Nectar points are worth when redeeming them varies depending on where you're shopping. In Sainsbury's, one point is worth 0.5p, so 500 points will get you £2.50 off your shop.

This is often the going rate across most stores but, in some cases, your points might be worth more.

Best way to spend Nectar points

To get the most out of your Nectar points, check the Nectar website for special offers.

There are some good deals in there, but don't let this dictate where you spend money. Your Nectar points might be worth more if you use them at a particular shop or restaurant, but if you had no intention of going there, are you really saving cash?

Extra ways to earn Nectar points

Nectar credit card – If you have the Nectar American Express credit card, you'll earn two Nectar points for every £1 you spend on the card, in addition to any regular Nectar points you would have earned with that purchase (e.g. if you were shopping in Sainsbury's).

Nectar app –  According to the Nectar website, the average customer earns 3x as many points with their app. Other benefits include weekly personalised offers to help you earn extra points, accessible balance updates and a digital barcode so you'll never forget to swipe your card.

Nectar Canvass – Sign up to Nectar Canvass and complete surveys to earn Nectar points. This is a great way of earning points without having to spend a penny (and remember there are plenty of other ways to earn money from surveys).

Check the Nectar website – They sometimes have special deals and promotions where you can earn bumper points, or even earn points without having to spend anything.

Drawbacks of the Nectar card

Nectar card points are only worth around half of what Tesco Clubcard points are worth, having dropped the rate by 50% back in 2015.

What's more, if your account remains inactive for 12 months, your points will be wiped.

Get your Nectar Card »

Paperchase Treat Me card

How does the Paperchase card work?

Paperchase Treat Me is less of a points card and more of a ticket to discounts and freebies. So, while you won't be able to spend your points as and when you fancy, there are some great benefits to a Treat Me card that can save you some decent money in the long run – especially if you shop at Paperchase often.

You get some benefits just from signing up, then every time you spend in-store or online, you'll move a step closer to your next 'treat'.

In our opinion, it's worth it just for the free £5 spend on your birthday (no purchase required).

Why should you get a Paperchase loyalty card?

15% off your next purchase when you sign up or activate your card

If you spend £50 within a six-month period, you'll get £5 off your next shop

Free greeting card when you buy seven in a year

You get £5 off on your birthday (valid for 28 days from activation)

Free upgrade to next-day delivery (via Yodel) when you spend £25 or more, or next-day delivery for the price of standard delivery if you spend less than £25.

Drawbacks of the Paperchase Treat Me card

Once you rack up £50 worth of spending and get your £5 off, you only have 28 days to use it (although the staff are usually really good at letting you know when you're getting close to the £50 spend mark).

You also can't use your Paperchase student discount in conjunction with Treat Me offers and discounts.

Get your Treat Me card »

Boots Advantage Card

How do you get Boots Advantage points?

You'll earn points every time you make a purchase at Boots online or in-store. You'll receive four points for every £1 you spend, so a £20 spend would get you 80 points. This makes the Boots Advantage Card one of the most generous on the market.

How much are Boots Advantage points worth?

Every point is worth 1p to spend in-store or online, so the 80 points from a £20 spend would be worth 80p.

To use your points, just show your card at the till and ask to pay with points, or select the Advantage card icon at the checkout when shopping online.

Extra ways to earn Boots Advantage Card points

Boots app – Download the Boots app and you'll earn 200 points, as well as being able to use your Advantage Card on your phone.

Mega Points Weekends – These are special events where you can earn a bunch of extra Advantage points for spending over a certain amount in-store or online – 1,000 extra points for spending £50, for example. If possible, delay purchases until these events so you're only spending money on things you actually want. And for even more points, split up your shop into separate transactions to get the bonus multiple times.

Tailored offers – Check the Boots app, your emails and your account page on Boots.com for tailored offers, which often include bumper points for buying specific items.

Price Advantage – All Boots Advantage Card holders now also get exclusive lower prices on a selection of products every month. This new scheme is currently only available at larger Boots stores, but it's worth keeping an eye out for the pink Price Advantage cards in your local Boots.

Student discount – Ok, so this isn't a way to earn extra points, but you can only get a 10% student discount at Boots if you also hold an Advantage Card.

Drawbacks of the Boots Advantage Card

You can't earn points on prescriptions, powdered milk products, gift vouchers, plastic bags or insurance.

You also can't use your Advantage points to part-pay for an item – you need enough points to cover the entire cost.

For example, if you're buying a £4 mascara and you have 400 points on your card, you'll be able to get the mascara for free. But, if the mascara costs £4.99, you won't be able to use your points and pay the remaining 99p.

If your Advantage card is inactive for two years, your points will be wiped.

Get your Advantage Card »

Superdrug Health & Beautycard

How does the Superdrug Health & Beautycard work?

Like most loyalty cards, the Superdrug Health & Beautycard comes both as a physical card (with a handy mirror on it) and as an app.

Use it when you buy in-store or online, and you'll earn one point for every £1 you spend. Save these points up to get money off your next purchase.

How much are Superdrug points worth?

You can only spend your Superdrug points in multiples of 100. 100 points will get you £1 off, 200 points will get you £2 off and so on...

This does mean you have to spend quite a lot to get any discounts, as a £100 spend will only get you a quid off your next shop.

However, the best thing about the Superdrug loyalty card is that, unlike the Boots Advantage card, you can use your points for part payments. So you can buy something that costs £4.99 and use 200 points to get £2 off, paying the difference (£2.99) yourself.

Why should you get a Superdrug loyalty card?

Bonus points (50, 100, 200 or 500) when buying selected products or on special events

Every week, Superdrug run Treat Thursdays, offering exclusive discounts on a certain product/category to Health & Beautycard holders

Free standard delivery on orders over £15

Triple points as a birthday treat

You'll need a Health & Beautycard (along with a UNiDAYS or TOTUM card) if you want to take advantage of the 10% student discount at Superdrug

Lower prices for members on selected products (these change every few weeks).

Drawbacks of the Superdrug Health & Beautycard

You need to use your card once every 12 months or your account will be closed. Points are valid for 24 months before they expire.

And, since you have to spend your points in multiples of 100, 190 points will still only get you £1 off your shop (until you spend another £10 to reach 200 points).

Get your Health & Beautycard »

Don't confuse loyalty cards with store cards, which can encourage excessive spending.

Subcard

How does the Subcard work?

Once you've registered your Subcard (which comes in card or app form), you'll receive 10 points for every £1 spent in-store.

If you haven't registered your card, you'll only receive five points for every £1 spent in-store (and you won't be able to redeem your points for freebies).

How much are Subcard points worth?

You can download the new 'Subway Rewards' app to check your points balance. Here's what you can buy with your Subcard points:

100 points – Free hot drink

200 points – Free snack

500 points – Free six-inch sub, flatbread or salad

1,000 points – Free footlong sub or flatbread.

Extra ways to earn Subcard points

Register your card – New members get a welcome bonus of 250 points when registering online or via the app. Plus, you'll be able to earn double points during the 28-day welcome period.

Double points – Whenever you make a purchase at Subway and scan your card, you'll start a countdown clock that runs for the next seven days. If you buy something else within that time, you'll earn double points on your purchase – so it's possible to earn double points pretty much every week.

Subsquad – Using the Subway app, you can invite up to eight friends into your Subsquad. When someone in the group makes a purchase, everyone in the group will receive a notification. If you buy a Sub within four hours, you and the original purchaser will get 50 bonus points each.

Promotions and offers – Throughout the year, Subway will offer a whole host of deals to Subcard holders, often involving free points or free sides/drinks when you scan your card.

Drawbacks of Subway Rewards

You can only have 5,000 points on your card at one time, so you'll have to keep spending those points as you go along if you're a serious Subway enthusiast. You'll also lose your points if you don't use your Subcard for a year.

And, despite Subway now being available via third-party takeaway apps like Just Eat and Deliveroo, you can only earn points when you make a purchase in-store.

Get your Subcard »

I love the Subcard! In between the Subsquad bonuses and the double points every time you return within seven days, I used to be able to pay for my Subway Monday to Thursday and get it free on Fridays.

Of course, after a while I got a bit sick of Subway, so now I go less often. But it just goes to show how generous the points scheme can be if you know how to play it.

Tom Allingham, Editor at Save the Student

Nando's Card

How does the Nando's Card work?

With a Nando's Card, you'll earn a 'Chilli' every time you spend £7 or more on your meal.

You need to register your card online or on the app first, and you'll receive a bonus Chilli for doing so.

You can only collect one Chilli per customer per day, so even if you spend £14, you'll still just get one stamp. So, if you're dining with a fellow Nando's cardholder, make sure you pay separately to maximise Chilli earnings.

How much are Nando's Chillies worth?

When you earn a certain amount of Chillies you'll be able to claim a reward. Here are the freebies you can get with a Nando's Card:

Three Chillies (Green Reward) – 1/4 chicken or starter

Six Chillies (Orange Reward) – 1/2 chicken or any single wrap, burger or pitta

10 Chillies (Red Reward) – Whole chicken or single combo meal with regular sides.

When you claim a reward your points don't reset – you just keep making your way towards the next reward (until you claim your Red Reward, at which point the process starts all over again).

In other words, if you've accumulated three Chillies and claim your reward, you'll still have three points, and you'll only need to make three more eligible purchases to reach the next reward level.

Drawbacks of the Nando's Card

Bear in mind that Chillies only last for up to 366 days from the date they're acquired, so make sure you spend them in time.

Get your Nando's Card »

Waterstones Plus

How does Waterstones Plus work?

With Waterstones Plus, you'll earn one 'Plus stamp' for every £10 you spend in-store or online, and every 10 stamps will add £10 to your Plus balance. For spends between £5 and £9.99, you'll earn half a stamp.

So, broadly speaking, for every £100 you spend, you'll get £10 off – and this includes money spent in the cafe.

And, with a Waterstones Plus Student card, you'll get an extra 5% off all purchases, along with collecting the Plus stamps.

Drawbacks of the Waterstones Plus card

You won't earn stamps when buying gift vouchers, book tokens, theatre tokens, postage stamps and event tickets.

You also can't use the 10% student discount with UNiDAYS when you have a Plus card linked to your account – you have to settle for the 5% Waterstone Plus Student discount, which is frustrating.

Finally, if your card or Waterstones account is inactive for 12 months, your stamps will be wiped.

Get your Plus card »

Co-op Membership

How does Co-op Membership work?

When you buy selected Co-op branded products and services, 2p of every £1 goes into your Co-op Membership account.

You can then spend this on anything in Co-op food stores (not just own-brand products).

Why should you get a Co-op Membership card?

Help a worthy cause – With a Membership card, for every £1 you spend, 2p will be donated to local causes in your community (and you can choose your own local cause, so you know exactly who you're helping).

Exclusive offers – As a member, you'll receive many offers and discounts. You'll also get an exclusive discount on Co-op services, like insurance and legal services.

Personalised offers – Each week the offers change and you can select two that suit you best and use them during your shop.

Drawbacks of Co-op Membership

You won't earn points on several things from Co-op stores, like fuel, postage stamps, cigarettes, clearance items and carrier bags. You can see the full list of excluded items in their T&Cs.

Co-op membership costs £1 to join and that doesn't count towards your points, although you can begin using your points immediately after joining.

Get your Co-op card »

Starbucks Reward Card

How does the Starbucks Card work?

The Starbucks Card is slightly different from other loyalty cards, in the sense that you need to load it up with cash before you use it.

Once you've got cash on your card, you use it to pay for your purchases and you'll earn 'Stars' for every beverage you buy. These Stars stack up and, once you've collected enough, you'll earn a reward – including free coffee.

And, thanks to a recent change, Stars are now based on how much you spend rather than the number of transactions you make. Now, you'll earn three Stars for every £1 you spend.

How much are Starbucks Stars worth?

What you get for your Stars depends on what 'level' you're on. Once you make your first transaction with your Starbucks Card, you'll become a Green Level member, which means you get a free drink for every 150 stars.

Once you earn 450 stars within a 12-month period, you've reached Gold Level. You'll receive the same as Green Level members, but each time you purchase a drink in-store, you'll be able to add some extras to it for free.

Free extras include selected syrups, extra shots of espresso, whipped cream and non-dairy alternatives (or a combination of them all).

As a gold member, you can also enjoy a free birthday drink!

Extra ways to earn Starbucks Reward Card Stars

Sign up for My Starbucks Rewards email updates and you'll get special offers on your favourite items.

You may occasionally be offered a bonus star if you buy a particular product during a promotional period. But, be careful not to buy anything just to get the extra star – only buy something included in the promotional offer if you actually want it, otherwise, you're wasting money.

You can also use the Starbucks app to pay for your drinks and collect your stars.

Drawbacks of the Starbucks Reward Card

Once you become a 'Gold Level' member, you have to keep earning at least 450 stars a year to maintain access to your extra benefits.

There's also the added pressure to shop at Starbucks, as you have to top-up the card with money in advance – this means you're committing to spending a certain amount there.

Plus, if your account's inactive for two years, your stars will expire.

Essentially, this card is only worth getting if you tend to use Starbucks a lot anyway.

Get your Reward Card »

Costa Club

How does the Costa Club work?

Pick up a card or download the app to register. Then, remember to show your card every time you spend in-store, and you'll get one bean for every drink you purchase.

You can also collect beans at Costa Express machines, which you'll often find in supermarkets or service stations.

How much are Costa Club beans worth?

Eight beans will get you one free drink in-store. While you can earn beans at the Costa Express machines, you can't use them to redeem your free drink.

Why should you get a Costa Club card?

Jump the queue – If you're near a Costa Coffee branch, you can speed up the ordering process by using their mobile app. All you need to do is make a purchase on the app, then pop into the coffee shop to pick up your order.

Exclusive offers – Coffee Club cardholders will get the opportunity to get money off their purchases or earn extra beans, so keep an eye out for any that pop up on the app.

Free cake on your birthday – Who doesn't love a birthday freebie? When you sign up for the Costa Club, you'll get a free slice of cake on your birthday.

Drawbacks of the Costa Club card

You cannot use your card or app in conjunction with other discounts or privilege cards issued by costa or another third party. And once you collect eight beans, you have six months to get your free drink. Otherwise, Costa may remove your beans.

Get your Coffee Club card »

For more ways to get free drinks at Costa, Starbucks and more, check out our guide to free coffee offers.

IKEA Family card

How does the IKEA Family card work?

You don't actually earn points with an IKEA Family card but, instead, the card gives you automatic discounts and access to other incentives.

Why should you get an IKEA Family card?

Free hot drinks – If you're in an IKEA store any time Monday to Friday, you can get a free tea or filter coffee. And we never say no to free food and drink.

Events & Workshops – Members get access to extra furnishing tips and knowledge which is invaluable for making your student room feel more like home.

Exclusive discounts – Family cardholders get exclusive discounts on selected IKEA products, as well as free 'Oops-assurance', insuring your product in case of any damage during delivery or assembly.

Drawbacks of the IKEA Family card

It's not the best loyalty card on the market, as you can only get discounts on specific items, which often aren't things you necessarily need or want.

Get your IKEA card »

myWaitrose card

How does the myWaitrose card work?

You don't earn points with a myWaitrose card – instead, you'll get access to freebies, discounts and other offers.

Waitrose isn't exactly the cheapest supermarket out there and the myWaitrose card doesn't offer much in terms of rewards, so this is probably only going to be of use to those who can afford to shop there anyway.

Why should you get a myWaitrose card?

Exclusive discounts – Every month, Waitrose will send you relevant vouchers and coupons based on your spending history. Exclusive offers also include, for example, a three-month subscription to The Spectator (online and in print).

Free hot drink – While it's no longer possible to get a free hot drink just for having a myWaitrose card, all is not lost. You can still pick up a free regular tea or coffee as long as you make a purchase in-store and bring your own reusable cup.

Fish Fridays – Every Friday you'll get 20% off selected fish from the fish counter.

Quick Check – You know those little gadgets you can carry around the shop with you to scan your shopping as you go? It's called Quick Check, and it's exclusively available to myWaitrose cardholders.

Free Good Food guide – Access to the best-rated restaurants to dine out in, perfect for getting to know the best local places in your university town.

Drawbacks of the myWaitrose card

Under the previous 'pick your offer' scheme, customers could select ten items out of hundreds to get 20% off each time they shopped. Since this has been scrapped, some have complained that the offers aren't as relevant.

What's more, the free hot drink benefit is suspended at the time of writing.

Get your myWaitrose card »

Looking for more offers? Join our Telegram deals group for a daily round-up of the best deals, straight to your phone.

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Here are the best loyalty cards and how to MAX OUT the points on each one

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Get rewarded for shopping, because you deserve it.

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Knowing how to budget/plan for financial health

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Knowing how to budget/plan for financial health

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Budget Planning – What You Need to Know

Why is budgeting important?

 It helps you manage your money, avoid debt, and save for the things you

need or want.

How do I make a budget?

 Write down your income (money coming in) and your expenses (money going

out).

 Make sure you're not spending more than you earn.

Where can I get help?

 Visit www.moneysavingexpert.com for great advice and free tools.

 Look for the ‘Budget Planner’ tool to help you get started.

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Applying for Your First Provisional Driving Licence – What You Need to Know

What is a provisional licence?

 It allows you to learn how to drive with a driving instructor or a qualified adult.

How do I apply?

 Apply online at www.gov.uk/apply-first-provisional-driving-licence.

 You’ll need to be at least 15 years and 9 months old and have ID (like a

passport).

Why get a licence?

 It helps you start learning to drive and gives you more independence.

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Get your first provisional driving licence for a car, motorbike, moped or other vehicle from DVLA online. To apply you must:

It costs £34 when you apply online.

If you applied for a provisional licence before 1 March 1973 you'll need to use this service to get a new licence.

Before you start

You'll need:

an identity document, such as your passport

addresses where you've lived for up to the last 3 years

You might be asked for additional information, such as your National Insurance number if you know it.

You'll get a confirmation email from DVLA after you've applied.

Your licence should arrive within one week if you apply online. It may take longer if DVLA need to make additional checks.

Cost

It costs £34 to apply online. You can pay by MasterCard, Visa, Electron or Delta debit or credit card.

When you can drive with a provisional licence

There are different rules depending on your age and the type of vehicle. Check what vehicles you can drive and when before you start to learn.

If you already have a provisional licence

If you already have a provisional licence you can:

Apply by post

Complete form D1 'Application for a driving licence', available from the DVLA form ordering service or most Post Offices.

Send your application to the address on the form, along with a cheque or postal order for £43.

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Apply for your first provisional driving licence

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Apply for your first provisional driving licence from DVLA online to drive a car, motorbike or moped.

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When you want to get a new bank account, there are a number of things you need to think about.

You'll need to find out about:

Types of bank account

There are different types of bank account that you can use for different reasons. Here we tell you about the main types of bank account, and what you can use them for.

Current accounts

You can use a current account to help you manage your money day-to-day. This includes:

paying your bills

receiving money - such as your salary or benefits

keeping track of where your money is going.

Some current accounts can also earn you interest on the money you have in the account, although this is likely to be less than many savings accounts.

With a current account, you will get a cheque book which you can use to take money out. You may also get a debit card which you can use in shops and cash machines. The bank may let you have an overdraft and access to other kinds of credit. You will be allowed to set up direct debits and standing orders.

Some banks will let you cash a current account personal cheque or use your cash card at the Post Office, free of charge. Ask your local post office if you can do this free from your current account.

Post Office card accounts

You can use a Post Office card account to collect benefits, tax credits and state pensions. You can't pay any other money in.

You can only get your money out of a Post Office card account with a plastic card and a Personal Identification Number (PIN) at the Post Office. You can't go overdrawn on a Post Office card account and you can't use your card in any cash machines.

Savings accounts

You can use savings accounts to put away money that you'd like to save for the future, for emergencies or to buy expensive purchases like a new car or a holiday.

A savings account will give you interest on your money.

For more information about savings accounts, including a table comparing different types of savings accounts, visit the Money Advice Service website at: www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk.

Basic bank accounts

If you have a poor credit rating or a low income, you may have problems in opening a standard current account or savings account. You may also have problems if you already have a current account which is overdrawn. If you're in this situation, you may be able to open a basic bank account.

You can ask a bank or building society to open a basic bank account. The bank or building society must tell you whether it offers basic bank accounts. If it does, it must tell you the conditions you must meet to be able to open one.

You should still be able to get a basic account even if a credit check shows that you have:

For more information about credit reference checks and outstanding court judgments, see How lenders decide whether to give you credit.

If you have a basic bank account you usually:

don't have to have any money to put in the account to open it

don't have to pay any fees

can pay your wages, salary, benefits and tax credits directly into the account

can pay in cheques and cash

can pay bills by direct debit

can withdraw money from cash machines.

There are some disadvantages to having a basic bank account. These include:

you won't be able to have a cheque book or go overdrawn

if you've set up a direct debit and there's not enough money to pay for it, you might be charged for this

Not all basic bank accounts can be accessed at the Post Office. If you want to do this, check with the bank before you open a basic bank account.

If you have an overdraft or other debts on your current account and you open a basic bank account at the same bank, they may use the money in your new account to pay off the debts in your old one. If you get benefits, tax credit or state pension, you might want to think about opening your basic bank account at a different bank or building society.

You can get more information about basic bank accounts, including a table comparing the different types of basic bank account, on the Money Advice Service website at: www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk.

You can get versions of this information in large print, Braille or audio format from the FCA's Consumer Helpline on: 0800 111 6768.

Joint accounts

You can also open a bank account jointly with other people. For example, you might want to do this to manage household bills with someone you live with, or with your wife, husband or civil partner.

How to open an account

To open a bank account you usually have to fill in an application form. Often, you can do this in a branch or online, and sometimes you can also do this over the phone.

You will also have to provide proof of your identity including your full name, date of birth and address. You usually have to show the bank two separate documents that prove who you are, for example, your passport, and where you live, for example, a recent bill. If you don't have any of the documents that the bank wants, they should accept a letter from a responsible person who knows you, such as a GP, teacher, social worker or probation officer.

If you're bankrupt or have a record of fraud, you will not usually be allowed to open a bank account. Also, you may be refused permission to open a current account if you have a poor credit rating. However, if you're bankrupt or have a poor credit rating, you may be able to open a basic bank account.

For more information about bankruptcy in England and Wales, see Bankruptcy. For more information about bankruptcy in Scotland, see Help with debt.

A bank or building society can refuse to open an account for you. They don't have to give you a reason, and there's usually nothing you can do about it. A bank or building society isn't allowed to open an account for someone who needs leave under the Immigration Rules to enter or stay in the UK but who doesn't have it, for example, someone who has entered the UK illegally or who has 'overstayed' after their visa has run out. If you are in this category you also can't be added to someone else's account as a joint account holder or be a signatory or beneficiary in relation to any account. Your bank or building society will carry out status checks to ensure that you don't come into this category. There is more information about what you should do if your bank or building society refuses to open an account for you for this reason on the GOV.UK website at www.gov.uk.

Some groups of people such as ex-prisoners may find it particularly difficult to open accounts.

However a bank or building society isn't allowed to discriminate against you, for example, because of your race, sex, disability, religion or sexuality. If you are discriminated against, you may be able to complain to the Financial Ombudsman Service. Also, you may be able to take a case to court.

However, there are some circumstances when a bank or building society can discriminate against you, for example, they may not let you open some types of account unless you fall into a certain age-group.

For more information about discrimination, see our discrimination pages.

If you think you've been discriminated against by a bank or building society, you should get help from an experienced adviser, for example, at a Citizens Advice Bureau. To search for details of your nearest CAB, including those that can give advice by email, click on nearest CAB.

Terms and conditions

When you open an account with a bank or building society and use their services, you are entering into a contract with them.

The terms of the contract will change according to the bank or building society and the type of account or other service you use.

Before you open an account, you should be given information which will help you choose the account that suits you. The information should include the terms and conditions and the interest rates.

After you've opened an account, your bank or building society should keep you informed about changes to this information, so that you can make decisions on how to best use your account.

Terms and conditions for current, basic and instant access savings accounts

If you're opening a current, basic or instant access savings account, you should also be given additional information such as:

details of all charges

how the bank or building society will give you information about your account

any spending limits on your account

what to do if things go wrong.

The information should be given to you in a way which is easy for you to understand. Once you've opened your account, the bank or building society should tell you about any changes to terms and conditions at least two months before the changes are made.

If there are changes to the terms and conditions of your account, you can close the account at any time up to 60 days from the day you were told about the changes. You don't have to give notice or pay any extra charges.

Terms and conditions for savings accounts

If you're opening a savings account other than an instant savings account, you will be given less detailed information than for other types of account. It may be provided in a summary box which will help you compare different accounts from different banks and building societies.

You may have to be 18 or over to be able to open some accounts.

Changing your bank or building society

If you decide to change your bank or building society account, you should think about:

what charges will be involved, for example, for closing your account or cancelling standing orders

whether the services and facilities provided by the new bank or building society are better than those you currently get

the fact that there may be delays in making payments by standing order or direct debit. You should take this into account when you decide the date for closing your account

how long you will have to wait before you can use all the new bank or building society's services

You should open a new account before closing your old one and make sure you cancel any current standing orders or direct debits, or move these to your new account. Be sure to return any unused cheques or plastic cards (cut into pieces) to your old bank or building society.

If you are transferring a balance to your new account, make sure you have left enough money in the old account to cover any uncleared cheques.

If you owe the existing bank or building society any money and you wish to close the account, you may still be sued for the money you owe if you don't pay it when you close the account.

Both your old and new bank or building society have responsibilities towards you.

The level of service you should expect from your old bank or building society will depend on whether there is an arrangement in place between your old bank and the new one.

Where there is no arrangement, your bank or building society only has to provide a prompt and efficient service to help you close your account and it must return any money due to you. This includes any interest.

Where there is an arrangement in place, your bank or building society must transfer any account balance and make arrangements in respect of direct debits and standing orders. If there are mistakes or delays in the transfer process which lead to bank charges, you shouldn't have to pay for them.

Further help

For more information about banks and building societies and the services they offer, see Banks and building societies.

You may also find the following information helpful:

The Money Advice Service

The Money Advice Service is a free, independent service. Their website has lots of useful information about financial products such as bank accounts, including comparison tables for different savings accounts. Their Money Advice Line can answer general enquiries about financial products and services.

Their Money Advice Line is 0300 500 5000.

Their website is www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk.

Financial Conduct Authority

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is the body responsible for regulating banks and building societies.

They aren't able to get involved in individual complaints, recommend firms or give legal or financial advice. However, the FCA is interested in hearing about cases where a bank or building society appears to be in breach of its obligations. The FCA may, where appropriate, fine the bank or building society.

Their Consumer Helpline is 0800 111 6768.

Their website is www.fca.org.uk

The Financial Ombudsman Service

If you've gone through your bank or building society's complaints procedure and they haven't been able to help you, you can make a complaint to the Financial Ombudsman Service.

You must give your bank or building society at least eight weeks to sort the problem out, unless they send you a letter of deadlock before the eight weeks is up. This is a letter telling you there is nothing more they can do to help you.

You must complain to the Ombudsman within six months of getting the letter of deadlock, or from the end of the eight week period if you don't get a letter of deadlock. Make sure you keep a record of the date when you first made your complaint to the bank.

Financial Ombudsman Service
Exchange Tower
London
E14 9SR

Consumer helpline: 0800 023 4567 (free for people phoning from a landline) or 0300 123 9123 (free for mobile-phone users who pay a monthly charge for calls to numbers starting 01 or 02) (Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 8.00pm; Saturday from 9.00am to 1.00pm)
Email: complaint.info@financial-ombudsman.org.uk
Website: www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk

For more information about the Financial Ombudsman Service, see How to use an Ombudsman.

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When you want to get a new bank account, there are a number of things you need to think about. You'll need to find out about: There are different types of bank account that you can use for different reasons. Here we tell you about the main types of bank account, and what you can use them for.

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Thinking about how you can improve your well-being through movement? Joining a gym could be for you. Have a read of this website to find out more.

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Thinking about joining the gym? Here’s 12 tips to help you get started… - Rest Less

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Perhaps you’ve been thinking about joining the gym, and you’ve decided that now is the time to bite the bullet and work towards your fitness goals. You might be feeling excited, intimidated, or even a little lost – but it’s important to remember that the gym has something to offer everyone and it’s never too

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These 8 practical tips cover the basics of healthy eating and can help you make healthier choices.

The key to a healthy diet is to eat the right amount of calories for how active you are so you balance the energy you consume with the energy you use.

If you eat or drink more than your body needs, you'll put on weight because the energy you do not use is stored as fat. If you eat and drink too little, you'll lose weight.

You should also eat a wide range of foods to make sure you're getting a balanced diet and your body is receiving all the nutrients it needs.

It's recommended that men have around 2,500 calories a day (10,500 kilojoules). Women should have around 2,000 calories a day (8,400 kilojoules).

Most adults in the UK are eating more calories than they need and should eat fewer calories.

1. Base your meals on higher fibre starchy carbohydrates

Starchy carbohydrates should make up just over a third of the food you eat. They include potatoes, bread, rice, pasta and cereals.

Choose higher fibre or wholegrain varieties, such as wholewheat pasta, brown rice or potatoes with their skins on.

They contain more fibre than white or refined starchy carbohydrates and can help you feel full for longer.

Try to include at least 1 starchy food with each main meal. Some people think starchy foods are fattening, but gram for gram the carbohydrate they contain provides fewer than half the calories of fat.

Keep an eye on the fats you add when you're cooking or serving these types of foods because that's what increases the calorie content - for example, oil on chips, butter on bread and creamy sauces on pasta.

2. Eat lots of fruit and veg

It's recommended that you eat at least 5 portions of a variety of fruit and veg every day. They can be fresh, frozen, canned, dried or juiced.

Getting your 5 A Day is easier than it sounds. Why not chop a banana over your breakfast cereal, or swap your usual mid-morning snack for a piece of fresh fruit?

A portion of fresh, canned or frozen fruit and vegetables is 80g. A portion of dried fruit (which should be kept to mealtimes) is 30g.

A 150ml glass of fruit juice, vegetable juice or smoothie also counts as 1 portion, but limit the amount you have to no more than 1 glass a day as these drinks are sugary and can damage your teeth.

3. Eat more fish, including a portion of oily fish

Fish is a good source of protein and contains many vitamins and minerals.

Aim to eat at least 2 portions of fish a week, including at least 1 portion of oily fish.

Oily fish are high in omega-3 fats, which may help prevent heart disease.

Oily fish include:

Non-oily fish include:

You can choose from fresh, frozen and canned, but remember that canned and smoked fish can be high in salt.

Most people should be eating more fish, but there are recommended limits for some types of fish.
Find out more about fish and shellfish

4. Cut down on saturated fat and sugar

Saturated fat

You need some fat in your diet, but it's important to pay attention to the amount and type of fat you're eating.

There are 2 main types of fat: saturated and unsaturated. Too much saturated fat can increase the amount of cholesterol in the blood, which increases your risk of developing heart disease.

On average, men should have no more than 30g of saturated fat a day. On average, women should have no more than 20g of saturated fat a day.

Children under the age of 11 should have less saturated fat than adults, but a low-fat diet is not suitable for children under 5.

Saturated fat is found in many foods, such as:

Try to eat less saturated fat and choose foods that contain unsaturated fats instead, such as vegetable oils and spreads, oily fish and avocados.

For a healthier choice, use a small amount of vegetable or olive oil, or reduced-fat spread instead of butter, lard or ghee.

When you're having meat, choose lean cuts and cut off any visible fat.

All types of fat are high in energy, so they should only be eaten in small amounts.

Sugar

Regularly consuming foods and drinks high in sugar increases your risk of obesity and tooth decay.

Sugary foods and drinks are often high in energy (measured in kilojoules or calories), and if consumed too often can contribute to weight gain. They can also cause tooth decay, especially if eaten between meals.

Free sugars are any sugars added to foods or drinks, or found naturally in honey, syrups and unsweetened fruit juices and smoothies.

This is the type of sugar you should be cutting down on, rather than the sugar found in fruit and milk.

Many packaged foods and drinks contain surprisingly high amounts of free sugars.

Free sugars are found in many foods, such as:

sugary fizzy drinks

sugary breakfast cereals

cakes

biscuits

pastries and puddings

sweets and chocolate

alcoholic drinks

Food labels can help. Use them to check how much sugar foods contain.

More than 22.5g of total sugars per 100g means the food is high in sugar, while 5g of total sugars or less per 100g means the food is low in sugar.
Find out how to cut down on sugar in your diet

5. Eat less salt: no more than 6g a day for adults

Eating too much salt can raise your blood pressure. People with high blood pressure are more likely to develop heart disease or have a stroke.

Even if you do not add salt to your food, you may still be eating too much.

About three-quarters of the salt you eat is already in the food when you buy it, such as breakfast cereals, soups, breads and sauces.

Use food labels to help you cut down. More than 1.5g of salt per 100g means the food is high in salt.

Adults and children aged 11 and over should eat no more than 6g of salt (about a teaspoonful) a day. Younger children should have even less.
Get tips for a lower salt diet

6. Get active and be a healthy weight

As well as eating healthily, regular exercise may help reduce your risk of getting serious health conditions. It's also important for your overall health and wellbeing.

Read more about the benefits of exercise and physical activity guidelines for adults.

Being overweight or obese can lead to health conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, certain cancers, heart disease and stroke. Being underweight could also affect your health.

Most adults need to lose weight by eating fewer calories.

If you're trying to lose weight, aim to eat less and be more active. Eating a healthy, balanced diet can help you maintain a healthy weight.

Check whether you're a healthy weight by using the BMI healthy weight calculator.

Lose weight with the NHS weight loss plan, a 12-week weight loss guide that combines advice on healthier eating and physical activity.

If you're underweight, see underweight adults. If you're worried about your weight, ask your GP or a dietitian for advice.

7. Do not get thirsty

You need to drink plenty of fluids to stop you getting dehydrated. The government recommends drinking 6 to 8 glasses every day. This is in addition to the fluid you get from the food you eat.

All non-alcoholic drinks count, but water, lower fat milk and lower sugar drinks, including tea and coffee, are healthier choices.

Try to avoid sugary soft and fizzy drinks, as they're high in calories. They're also bad for your teeth.

Even unsweetened fruit juice and smoothies are high in free sugar.

Your combined total of drinks from fruit juice, vegetable juice and smoothies should not be more than 150ml a day, which is a small glass.

Remember to drink more fluids during hot weather or while exercising.

8. Do not skip breakfast

Some people skip breakfast because they think it'll help them lose weight.

But a healthy breakfast high in fibre and low in fat, sugar and salt can form part of a balanced diet, and can help you get the nutrients you need for good health.

A wholegrain lower sugar cereal with semi-skimmed milk and fruit sliced over the top is a tasty and healthier breakfast.

Further information

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Start eating well with these 8 tips for healthy eating, which cover the basics of a healthy diet and good nutrition.

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Getting Mental Health Support from the NHS – What You Need to Know

When should I ask for help?

 If you feel very sad, anxious, or are struggling to cope, it’s time to ask for

help.

How do I get support?

 Speak to your GP, who can refer you to the right mental health services.

 You can also go to www.nhs.uk/mental-health for self-help tools and support.

Why is it important?

 Talking to someone can help you feel better and get the right care and

support.

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Find out how to access NHS mental health services and where to get urgent help.

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Sex, Consent and Healthy Relationships:

What do healthy relationships look like?

What do unhealthy relationships look like?

What support is available to me?

Click here to find out.

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It's never okay for another person to pressure you to do something sexual. The person you're with should care about you enough not to pressure you or make you do something you're not happy about.

Pressure can include:

asking you over and over again

making you feel bad for not saying yes or changing your mind

threatening to tell other people or share things about you

being told you owe someone sex

feeling like you have to do it because of peer pressure or things you see online.

It's not okay for someone to make you feel like you have to do something sexual, and being made to do something can be considered rape or sexual assault.

If you're being pressured, then we're here to support you.

Even when you've said yes or felt comfortable before, it's always okay to change your mind. And you have the right to stop things any time you want to.

Remember, it's wrong for anyone to:

do anything sexual without your consent

make you feel bad, scared or guilty for not saying yes

do something sexual with you when you're drunk or have taken drugs

pressure you or make you feel like you have to do something

bully you or call you names because they don't agree with your decision

threaten to tell other people or share stuff online

offer you something in exchange for sex

force you into anything or hurt you.

If someone does something sexual with you without your consent, then that's rape or sexual assault. And if you've been made to feel like you can't say no, then we're here to support you.

Nobody is owed sex, and it's never okay for someone to make you feel like you owe them sex or that you have do something sexual if you don't want to.

Whether or not you do something sexual is always your choice. Even if someone has done something for you, helped you or bought you gifts, they have no right to expect you to pay them back sexually. Expecting someone to have sex or do something sexual in exchange for things is sometimes called sexual exploitation, and it's a type of sexual abuse.

If you're worried about owing someone sex, it's important to talk about it. You can ask about it anonymously on the message boards, talk to an adult you trust or speak to Childline any time.

Sexting is when you send a sexual message, photo or video to someone else. It could be a picture of you, but sometimes people send pictures and videos of other people.

If you're thinking about sexting or sending a nude, it's important to think about what might happen to anything you send, whether it's what you want and how it might make someone else feel. We've got lots of advice to help before you decide.

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Relationships can be confusing. Especially if you really like someone but they do things you're not comfortable with.

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Find out what Newham Council can do for you to support your needs.

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Our Local Offer has been developed and will be updated regularly to help you find information about local services, support, activities and events for children who have special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

We have separated the Local Offer into a number of sections below, please click on the specific area for more information.

This is our new Local Offer and we welcome feedback to improve the site.

If you need this content in an alternative format or if you have a specific query you can contact us by:

Email: local.offer@newham.gov.uk

Telephone: 0203 373 2051, Mon - Fri , 10am - 2pm

We will try to respond to emails or voicemails within 2 working days.
Related Information Feedback from families and our plans to respond. Complaints, comments and compliments

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Our Local Offer has been developed and will be updated regularly to help you find information about local services, support, activities and events for children who have special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). We have separated the Local Offer into a number of sections below, please click on the specific area for more information.

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Supported Internship Programme (SIP), for Young People with EHCP's

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Supported Internship Programme (SIP), for Young People with EHCP's

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Learn about how SIP's work and where you can find one.

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This guidance sets out what education providers need to know in order to set up a supported internship programme. It provides practical guidance on developing and delivering supported internships, including information on:

The guidance draws on the 2020 Cooper Gibson research on supported internships as well as the experiences of providers and local authorities who have been running successful supported internships programmes to support young people with education, health and care plans into employment.

Introduction

The National Disability Strategy sets out the actions the government will take to improve the everyday lives of all disabled people. We want all children and young people, no matter what their special educational needs or disability ( SEND), to be able to reach their full potential and receive the right support to succeed in their education and as they move into adult life.

With the right preparation, the overwhelming majority of young people with SEND are capable of sustainable paid employment. All professionals working with them should share that presumption and provide the career advice and support that help young people to develop the skills and experience that they need to succeed in their careers. However, evidence in post-16 education and labour market activities, pathways and outcomes shows that pupils with SEND are less likely to be in sustained employment 15 years after key stage 4 than their peers.

Supported internships are a great opportunity to improve the life chances of young people with SEND by supporting them into sustained, paid employment. Achieving paid employment not only brings young people financial independence, but it can be key to:

There are also benefits for the economy, employers, families, the local community and wider society.

What's involved

Supported internships are a structured, work-based study programme for 16 to 24-year-olds with SEND, who have an education, health and care ( EHC) plan. The core aim of a supported internship study programme is a substantial work placement, facilitated by the support of an expert job coach.

Supported interns are enrolled and supported by a learning provider, for example, a school or college, but spend most of their learning time - typically around 70% - in a workplace.

The internships provide the opportunity for young people to achieve sustained, paid employment by equipping them with the skills they need for work, through learning in the workplace.

Supported interns are in full-time education and their supported internship work placements are part of their course. There is no legal requirement or expectation that the supported intern will be paid. Supported internships are exempt from the National Minimum Wage regulation.

Supported internships last for a minimum of 6 months, and up to a year.

The supported internship should contribute to the long-term career goals of the young person and match their capabilities. Alongside their time with the employer, supported interns complete a personalised study programme delivered by the school or college, which includes the chance to study for relevant qualifications, if appropriate, and English and maths at an appropriate level.

Every young person is supported in the work placement by a trained job coach, put in place by their education provider. The job coach provides in-work support that tapers off, if appropriate, as the supported intern becomes familiar with their role. Job coaches also work with employers, increasing their confidence in employing individuals with additional needs and helping them to create and support a diverse workforce.

Aims of a supported internship

The aim of supported internships is to support young people with EHC plans to gain paid employment by:

The measure of success of a supported internship is a transition to sustained and paid employment.

Difference between a supported internship and a traineeship or apprenticeship

Supported internships and traineeships are work-based study programmes that aim to support young people into employment. Apprenticeships are paid jobs that include off-the-job training.

Supported internships are specifically for young people with an EHC plan, and as such, they are expected to require a different level of support compared to a trainee or apprentice. They will have a job coach to support them in their workplace learning.

Supported interns are expected to need a longer programme than a trainee. Traineeships usually last between 6 weeks and 6 months with the aim of progressing people to an apprenticeship or employment as quickly as possible. Supported internships last for at least 6 months, and up to a year.

There are no entry or completion requirements for supported internships, and each learning provider will work with their supported interns to develop a personalised programme that meets their needs and provides progression and stretch.

Benefits of offering supported internships

Offering supported internships to young people with EHC plans, can help learning providers to:

offer a positive progression route to employment from their existing provision in order to support young people with SEND into paid, sustainable work

evidence that their provision is personalised and outcome-focused, in line with Ofsted expectations

demonstrate their responsiveness to the full range of learners in the local community

address the issue of 'learner churn' or 'revolving door syndrome', where learners complete one programme and re-enrol on another programme at the same level, rather than achieving positive progression

show their commitment to equality and diversity

The Children and Families Act 2014 required local authorities to work in co-production with children and young people with SEND and their parents and carers to develop a Local Offer of the services they expect to be available. This means that local authorities must find out what children, young people and parents want from the Local Offer. The Local Offer sets out the range of services available and supported internships are expected to be a key part of this.

Planning and designing supported internships

Key principles

Education providers are free to design their supported internship programme to fit their local circumstances and to meet the needs of their learners. However, we have set out the following principles, which should be followed.

Principle 1

A significant majority of the supported intern's time is spent at the employer's premises in a work placement. Whilst at the employer, the young person will be expected to comply with real job conditions, such as timekeeping, shift patterns and dress code.

Principle 2

Supported interns follow a personalised study curriculum alongside their time at the employer, including relevant aspects of English and maths.

This will be a bespoke package that is delivered by the provider and should support their progression to paid employment. It should give the supported intern the opportunity to reflect on their learning journey.

Principle 3

Job coaches are central to the study programme and provide support to both the young person and employer. They should be trained in line with the national occupational standards for supported employment.

Principle 4

The primary goal of the programme for the young person is paid employment. Work placements must work for both the young person and the employer.

For the young person, the job must fit with their vocational profile, contribute to their long-term career goal and be flexible enough to address barriers where necessary.

For the employer, they should meet a real business need. The employer should be committed to supporting the young person towards paid employment.

Laying the foundations for a successful supported internship

Successful completion of a supported internship should lead to paid employment, and therefore the ceasing of the EHC plan. It is therefore important that the supported internship follows on from high-quality education provision with a focus on preparation for employment, including tailored advice and guidance, and prior experience of the world of work.

The statutory careers guidance sets out that all young people in secondary school get a programme of careers advice and guidance that is stable, structured and delivered by individuals with the right skills and experience. This includes those with special educational needs and disabilities. We recognise the importance of work placements in supporting all young people to prepare for employment.

The SEND code of practice explicitly states that all children and young people with SEND should be prepared for adulthood and that this preparation should start early. This includes preparing for employment, but also for:

independent living, including choice and control over:

housing options

good health in adult life

participating in society, including:

having friends and supportive relationships

contributing to the local community

For this to happen, there needs to be an explicit focus on preparation for adulthood within the EHC plan from year 9 annual reviews onwards.

Key planning considerations and delivery models

This section focuses on the key issues providers will need to think through when shaping the supported internship programme.

Length of programme

A supported internship normally lasts for at least 6 months, and up to a year. Providers will not be penalised if supported interns complete a supported internship earlier than originally planned to take up paid employment.

The first supported internship principle requires interns to spend a substantial majority of their learning time in the workplace.

Number of placements and employer involvement

The number of work placements and the number of employers involved can vary for each supported internship. Providers can operate a variety of models to fit their local circumstances, as long as they meet the 4 principles. Ideally, the work placement will be with an offsite employer.

Providers should agree the start and end dates of the placements with the employer, as well as whether the young person will be available during the holidays.

A supported intern can rotate between work placements. This could mean a provider works with a single, large employer who can offer internships to several young people by rotating them between different placements. Or supported interns can move from a placement with one employer to a placement at a different employer. Supported interns can also stay in a single placement, with one employer, which may be developed and extended over the period of the supported internship.

A key consideration for providers should be matching the needs of the intern to a suitable employer and placement. Whatever your model, it is about securing work placements of substantial duration and that are appropriate for the needs of the supported interns, who spend the majority of their time with the employer.

A personalised study curriculum

The second supported internship principle requires providers to offer supported interns a personalised study curriculum outside their workplace, which should start from the beginning of the study programme. This learning is most valuable and best engages interns when it:

Learning will typically include employability skills and, as per the 16 to 19 condition of funding, must include study towards English and maths qualifications at the appropriate level for the individual. Some students with EHC plans are exempt from the condition of funding. This must be assessed and agreed by the provider. These students should still have appropriate and relevant literacy and numeracy in their study programme.

Off-the-job employability learning may also include specific areas of vocational learning that have been identified by employers as increasing the supported intern's employability in a specific sector. This may include small qualifications in areas such as food hygiene, health and safety, lifting and handling, or pesticide handling. It can also focus on improving independence and teamwork skills.

Providers should also utilise this time to complete any actions that would enable supported interns to take up employment on completion, such as setting up a bank account or applying for a passport. Off-the-job employability learning can be delivered at the employer, a community venue or at the learning provider.

Learning outside the workplace can also enable supported interns to come together and build up a group identity and this peer support helps to prevent them from feeling isolated in their separate workplaces. This can also be a good opportunity for interns to reflect on their learning journey as they progress in their internship.

Effective ways of ensuring that the personalised study curriculum complements workplace learning include:

Supported employment agencies

Some learning providers may also choose to engage external agencies, such as supported employment agencies, to support the delivery of their programme. Supported employment agencies can provide both employer engagement and liaison and job coaching services.

Learning providers who have entered into a partnership with a supported employment agency do so for a number of reasons including:

Supported employment agencies may also be able to offer support to interns after their internship.

Staffing and job coaching

Staffing

Providers need to ensure that all staff share a can-do attitude and a strong belief in the young people's ability and right to work. This enables the team to engage with and inspire supported interns and their families to aspire to paid work and demonstrate to employers the value of these young people in their paid workforce.

The supported internship team should have a designated member of the senior leadership team with responsibility for the programme, to ensure that they are properly resourced, trained and supported.

Providers will need to ensure that all core functions are met by their supported internship team to provide effective support for young people during their internships.

These functions include, but are not limited to:

coordination, for example:

employer engagement and liaison

liaison with parents, carers or agencies

administrative roles such as:

record keeping

learner tracking

supporting Access to Work applications and related processes

job coaching including:

mentoring

in-work support

job matching

progress reviews

out-of-work employability learning from a tutor or learning support assistant

The job coach

The core role of the job coach is to provide tailored support to both the supported intern and employers so that the young person can make a positive progression to paid employment. It is a distinct role within the team that requires specialised training. Job coaches should be trained in supported employment and systematic instruction, a structured approach to teaching decision-making and new skills to people with intellectual disabilities

The job coach will support the intern to learn from, develop in and maintain their supported internship work placement.

The job coach will support the employer to offer meaningful work placements that match the skills and needs of interns, adapting roles and tasks where possible and appropriate. They will also help employers to develop their confidence in employing people with a disability.

Access to Work funding is available for job coach support, to support interns directly in their work placements. Where job coaches are also involved in the pre-placement activity and off-the-job learning, this activity should be funded using study programme funds (or high needs funding, if appropriate).

Pre-work placement activity

The pre-work placement activity is best delivered by job coaches, given their training. This work falls under the following categories:

vocational profiling and assessment

sourcing potential employers and identifying possible internship placements

creating productive links between the intern and employer through job analysis, job matches, negotiating and 'carving' job roles

practical support such as sourcing and gathering relevant documentation for work, understanding the dress code and workplace culture

helping interns to sort out travel arrangements (for example, planning routes or getting bus passes) and accompanying them on visits to the workplace prior to starting a job

Workplace support

The support a job coach provides for a supported intern in the workplace includes:

learning the job role in readiness for training the supported intern, and attending workplace inductions

training the supported intern to master tasks by breaking them down and applying systematic instruction techniques

checking supported interns' understanding of tasks and re-phrasing or repeating employer instructions when necessary

producing visual or written aids (for example, a step-by-step task list) and ensuring any assistive technology is provided

encouraging supported intern self-assessment and reflection as part of target-setting, monitoring and reviewing progress

modelling workplace behaviours

mentoring and confidence-building, including supporting interns to try out new ways to do things if they are not successful at first

negotiating an increase in responsibilities or new activities

trouble-shooting or advocating for supported interns when things go wrong

identifying skills development needs and either addressing them or referring to other staff

if the need for support tapers off, regular workplace visits and observation of supported interns

Support for employers

A job coach can support an employer by:

explaining a supported intern's strengths, support needs and successful communication strategies

providing information about a particular condition or impairment and advising on reasonable adjustments

suggesting appropriate ways to explain tasks, developing supporting accessible resources of use to the wider workforce

introducing the supported intern to their colleagues and offering colleagues advice on how to best support and include the intern

being a first point of call if issues or problems arise and negotiating solutions

identifying additional or more challenging tasks or roles that a supported intern could take on

ensuring supported interns are on task and meeting workplace standards and expectations (for example, time-keeping and attendance)

Supporting positive progression

During the course of the supported internship, the job coach plays an important role in helping the supported intern to secure paid employment or meaningful progression by:

negotiating opportunities for paid employment with the employer providing internship

where that is not possible, supporting interns with job searches and signposting to other work opportunities

supporting job applications, including CV development and revisions

helping interns prepare for and accompanying them to job interviews

signposting interns to other services (for example, Access to Work or local supported employment services) and if necessary, liaising with these agencies

Recruiting and engaging supported interns

Eligibility

To be eligible for a supported internship, a young person must be aged between 16 and 24 and have an education health and care plan.

Suitability

Supported interns should have already experienced the world of work through their careers provision in secondary and post-16 education. They should have a strong motivation to work and want to spend the majority of their time in the workplace. Parents and carers sharing their aspirations for employment is also an important factor.

During the course of the programme, providers can work on:

The section on working with parents and carers provides more details.

Young people should also be reassured that full support will be available to them to help them succeed on the programme.

Recruitment and engagement practices

Providers need to work closely with the following key partners:

local SEND employment forums (also known as supported internship forums)

other learning providers such as neighbouring 16+ providers and feeder schools

parent and carer groups

progression partners such as:

Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) advisors

adult services

the Disability Employment Advisor at Jobcentre Plus

Local authorities should ensure that the supported internship programme is clearly described as an option within their Local Offer, so young people are aware of this pathway to employment.

Early discussion of supported internships as a pathway allows for preparation and learning of essential skills that increase the likelihood of a successful internship, such as independent travel. When speaking to prospective supported interns and discussing the course with parents and carers, providers will need to:

determine the young person's commitment to achieving employment

make it clear that they will be required to comply with workplace conditions, for example:

attendance

time-keeping

appropriate workplace behaviours

dress code

Providing support to interns

The high level of individualised support provided to supported interns is a key distinguishing feature of the supported internship programme. The amount and nature of the support provided will differ from one supported intern to the next, depending on their needs. However, as a general principle, the support provided should enable the supported intern to be as independent as possible.

The level of support required may change if:

Most supported interns will need intensive support at the start of their supported internship, decreasing over time as the supported intern becomes more confident in the workplace.

For many supported interns, direct job coach support may have been withdrawn altogether in the latter stages of their supported internship and they will be successfully supported by their line manager and colleagues. In these cases, providers can consider supporting interns into paid employment earlier, rather than keeping them on the programme.

For other supported interns, formal support may always be needed and it will be a case of reducing that to the minimal level required by the young person in order to do their job effectively.

The job coach will normally be the key provider of support to interns, although learning support staff, personal care staff and professionals with specific expertise (such as an interpreter, counsellor or speech and language therapist) may also be providing complementary forms of support. Supported interns may also need support in the form of specialist equipment, including assistive technology that may reduce their need for support from job coaches or other people.

Examples of some of the different kinds of support provided by job coaches are available.

Reviewing progress and support needs

Providers should operate a formal review process to check whether the:

Progress checks should happen at regular intervals and involve all the key partners:

It can also be helpful to invite parents and carers to participate in a review, with the supported intern's permission.

Findings from a progress check can help providers and interns to:

recognise and celebrate progress and achievement

identify skills that they need to work on

identify barriers to progress and work out together how to address them

reshape the support package (to include different support strategies or to reduce or increase support)

negotiate new responsibilities at work for the supported intern

identify if further health and social care support is needed to support their placement

help parents and carers understand how they can support their young person

Working with parents and carers

As the supported interns will be approaching adulthood or already be young adults, providers should seek their permission to involve their parents and carers.

It is important that parent or carer involvement is not perceived by the young people as undermining their independence or diminishing their role in the decision-making process, as set out in the SEND code of practice.

If you are concerned that the young person lacks the capacity to make all or some decisions for themselves, you should speak to the local authority's SEND team in accordance with the Mental Capacity Act 2005.

At the start of the programme

Parents and carers can be involved, with the supported intern's agreement, from the start of their programme.

Inviting them to participate at the engagement and recruitment stage can help ensure they understand that the primary aim of the programme is to find paid employment.

Providers can hold open evenings, invite parents and carers in for sessions at the provider or even arrange home visits. This gives providers the chance to refer parents and carers to other agencies or sources of information for benefits eligibility advice if this is a concern for them.

Parents and carers can also be invited to discussions in the induction and initial assessment stage, where they can set out their hopes and ambitions for their young person.

During the programme

Throughout the programme, parents and carers can be kept informed, with the young person's permission, of the young person's progress. This could be through a formal review process or more informal communication.

Towards a positive progression

Parents and carers can sometimes offer support in job search and application and interview preparation.

Where a young person has not been able to gain paid employment following an internship or where they need continued in-work support, they, and their parents and carers if appropriate, should be informed about agencies that can provide further support. Providers can broker meetings where appropriate.

Working with employers

Successful internship programmes are dependent on the learning provider working in partnership with one or more employers across a number of key stages:

Engagement and recruitment of employers

Effective employer engagement is a key success factor in establishing a supported internship programme. Promoting the business case of supported internships to employers is critical to securing their engagement.

Resources are available that set out the evidence base relating to the benefits of employing disabled people that can help conversations with employers as part of the engagement process, for example, DWP's guidance on employing disabled people and people with health conditions.

Other successful strategies for targeting employers include:

working with employers who already have a relationship with the college and extending that to include supported internships

engagement via local supported employment forums

identifying employers who have experience of working with people with SEND, or who are Disability Confident employers

working in partnership with other learning providers and liaising within their own organisation to share the load and to prevent the same employers from being approached repeatedly

approaching employer groups (for example, through presenting at an existing meeting) and using provider membership on existing groups

setting up business breakfasts

creating and distributing marketing material to promote supported internships

once the supported internship programme is established, drawing on success stories - this can include inviting employers to meet interns who are now employed and employers who have benefitted from taking part

It is also helpful to be prepared to address an employer's potential concerns, some of which may be based on misunderstandings about employing people with disabilities. Sharing all insights gained through good vocational profiling of the young person with the employer is helpful here.

Employer engagement is often a 2-tier process, where the learning provider begins by securing the interest and willingness to be involved from a wide range of employers before negotiating specific internships for particular young people.

Job matching

Key to the success of an individual internship is the business of getting the right young person into the right work placement with the right employer.

Job matching enables providers to ensure that the individual supported intern is placed in a job role that matches their abilities, interests and ambitions in a working environment that suits their needs. Successful job matching relies on the effective vocational profiling of the young person as well as thorough job analysis of the potential role. This process is usually undertaken by the job coach.

Vocational profiling

Vocational profiling is a young-person centred approach to gathering information specifically related to work. It is a way of understanding what a young person's experience, skills, abilities, interests, aspirations and needs are to support them to find a job. It is an active process that involves:

Vocational profiling will identify areas for development as well as the support a young person may need in the workplace. It also identifies any financial factors that need consideration, such as travel costs or workplace adjustments.

Preparing for Adulthood has guidance on creating a vocational profile.

Job analysis

Job analysis will include:

an investigation of the job description

understanding the tasks involved

understanding the workplace context such as:

the extent to which a role is customer-facing

what interactions with colleagues are required

the physical environment

the workplace culture

Providers will need to use their findings from the job analysis and vocational profiling to determine the fit between a specific job role and an individual. This may involve an element of job carving, whereby the learning provider works with the employer to shape a role for a particular individual which is suited to their strengths with consideration of reasonable adjustments that may be needed. This process will result in greater productivity, ability to offer more flexibility to other staff or to free them up from tasks they are ill-suited to.

Providers should assure themselves that work placements:

Induction and settling in

The job coach should agree an induction and settling in period to the workplace, where both the supported intern and employer are offered extensive support. It is often appropriate to begin the induction period before a supported intern formally starts their work placement.

Induction activities can include:

The job coach will have to ensure that all induction and training is accessible for the supported intern. They may support the intern through a training programme led by the employer or undertake the training themselves and devise an approach to deliver it to the supported intern.

During this induction period, the job coach will also play an important role in negotiating between the employer and supported intern if any 'teething problems' occur.

While any reasonable adjustments will have been determined at the job matching stage, the job coach may need to provide the employer with support in implementing these in the first few weeks of a placement. This also provides the opportunity for the job coach to support the intern's colleagues and manager to understand the needs and abilities of the supported intern.

Job coaches should remind employers of any other expectations - such as a monthly contribution to a progress review and employer-specific health and safety briefings - during the first few weeks, and ensure processes are in place from the start.

During the supported internship

Employers will be supported by the learning provider throughout the supported internship.

Employers should be involved in reflecting on a supported intern's progress, both informally through conversations with a job coach and by more formal contributions to a review process.

Supporting the development of the supported intern is a shared responsibility between staff from the learning provider, including the job coach, and the employer and relies on effective communication.

Job coaches may need to negotiate with employers where they feel that a supported intern needs new challenges and could be offered greater responsibilities. Equally, it may be necessary for a job coach to agree on a reduced or different role for a supported intern where appropriate. Employers are encouraged to flag learning opportunities that would enable the supported intern to extend their range of responsibilities.

Securing employment for the intern

The primary goal of a supported internship is to secure paid employment for the supported intern. This may be with the host employer if a suitable vacancy is available. However, if this is not possible, host employers can still play an important part in helping a supported intern to achieve employment elsewhere.

Positive actions an employer can take include:

Achieving positive progression

Achieving sustainable paid employment for the supported intern is the primary goal of a supported internship.

While soft skills and independence development are welcome gains, where paid employment with the host employer is not achieved, the provider should support the young person to an alternative destination, and ideally paid employment.

Providers should build in time throughout a supported internship to ensure a positive transition occurs.

Planning for progression: recruitment

Providers should plan early for a positive outcome by:

recruiting suitable interns who understand that the goal is paid, sustained employment

selecting employers and placements that have the real possibility of leading to paid employment, as far as possible

tackling low aspirations early, including those of parents and carers

using vocational profiling and job analysis techniques to identify jobs that draw on the strengths of a supported intern

appointing staff, including job coaches who are trained in supported employment, who believe in the programme and its values, including the right and ability of disabled people to work

drawing on the employers' experience to understand the key skills and knowledge a supported intern will need to secure paid employment in their sector

Planning for progression: during the internship

Providers should build in time throughout a supported internship to ensure a positive transition occurs by:

Planning for progression: moving into employment

Providers should work with the supported intern to ensure that a transition plan is in place so that each young person has a positive progression route planned.

This will include:

facilitating a conversation with the host employer to establish if there is a suitable vacancy and how to apply for that

developing the skills supported interns need to apply for jobs, including:

job searching

building CVs

filling in application forms

interview skills

practising these skills

Funding

Supported internships are funded as a 16 to 19 study programme, and as such the main source of funding is from the Education and Skills Funding Agency ( ESFA).

Supported interns can also apply for Access to Work funding to cover the costs of practical support in the workplace.

High needs funding arrangements may also apply where the support costs of establishing and running the supported internship in line with this guidance exceed £6000 (avoiding double funding with Access to Work). Local authorities have the prime responsibility for planning and commissioning funding for high needs students. Further information on the funding system for 16 to 25 high needs students is available.

It is essential that learning providers currently delivering supported internships, and those considering doing so, discuss their plans at the earliest opportunity with commissioning local authorities. This will enable authorities to:

agree and plan their budgets for young people with high needs

consider changes in demand for and supply of new and emerging provision

Local authorities can record supported internship participation on their SEN2 data return.

Education and Skills Funding Agency funding

A supported internship is a full-time study programme, with a substantial work placement as the core aim.

To attract ESFA funding, the provider needs to timetable at least 540 planned learning hours.

The English and maths condition of funding applies to students on supported internships. Providers should ensure study towards an English and maths qualification at the appropriate level is included, such as:

If a student is exempt from the English and maths condition of funding, they should still pursue appropriate literacy and numeracy.

Providers should indicate on the individualised learning record ( ILR) that the young person is on a supported internship programme.

Access to Work

Access to Work is a discretionary grant scheme delivered by DWP which can assist in paying for practical support to enable disabled people or those with health conditions to overcome workplace barriers.

Access to Work can pay for things such as:

specialist equipment

adaptations to equipment and workplace

a support worker or job coach

communication support

additional travel costs of getting to work if someone is unable to use public transport or drive themselves

disability awareness training for employers about the employee's specific condition

For supported interns, this means Access to Work can fund:

Access to Work awards are tailored to the needs of the individual, which means awards will vary depending on the supported interns' circumstances.

How to apply

Supported interns (or their learning provider on their behalf) can get an application form for supported internships by calling the Access to Work helpline number on 0800 121 7479.

It is important all applications are signed, allowing permission for the supported internship team to arrange for a support plan to be sent to the learning provider to complete and return.

Where the supported intern has a DWP appointee, the appointee will need to sign the application form.

Completed paper applications must be signed by the supported intern or their DWP appointee and sent to:

16 to 19 Bursary fund

The 16 to 19 Bursary Fund is to support 16 to 19-year-olds who are the most financially disadvantaged and those who most need help with the costs of staying in education. Students aged over 19 can apply for the discretionary bursary if they have an EHC plan.

Providers can use the bursary as a source of funding to help meet costs for travel, meals and equipment for young people participating in supported internships.

Free meals for disadvantaged young people

To be eligible for a free meal, young people must have enrolled in further education provision funded via ESFA.

Exactly what an institution provides for the free meal is a decision for the individual institution. The expectation is that a meal, voucher or credit will be provided to eligible students. Where this is not practical, institutions will be able to offer cash in certain exceptional circumstances.

Funding for free meals is allocated directly to institutions. More information is in the free meals guidance.

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This guidance sets out what education providers need to know in order to set up a supported internship programme. It provides practical guidance on developing and delivering supported internships, including information on: The guidance draws on the 2020 Cooper Gibson research on supported internships as well as the experiences of providers and local authorities who have been running successful supported internships programmes to support young people with education, health and care plans into employment.

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We're helping people who are neurodivergent, including people with learning disabilities, to gain skills and work experience.

"Doing the work placements has given me the skills and the confidence to help me to know what I want to do in the future."

Holly, Steps into Work participant graduate 2021

About Steps into Work

Steps into Work (SiW) is a 12-month programme that offers valuable work experience and employability skills training to people who are neurodivergent.

Our programme is delivered in partnership with , who like us value inclusion, collaboration and work to empower people to achieve their full potential.

Duration: SiW runs for 12 months. It typically starts in September and finishes in August.

Attendance: From Monday to Friday. Usually between the hours of 09:00 - 15:00.

Location: London and flexible working from home.

We're looking for people who are

Aged 16+

Have neurodevelopmental differences such as mild to moderate learning disabilities, ADHD or autism

What the Steps into Work programme involves

The opportunity to complete three different work experience placements, lasting 8 - 12 weeks across our London offices, stations, piers and the Greater London Authority (GLA). The placements are designed to broaden understanding of the different work that TfL delivers.

What qualifications you'll get

You'll gain a Pearson's Employability Qualification Entry Level 3 - Level 2, to feel more confident and prepared to find work.

If you don't already have a level 2 in English and Maths, we'll give you support to gain these too.

How you'll be supported

Our partners Shaw Trust will provide you with a Specialist Job Coach to support you at application stage right through to work placement.

Upon successful completion of the Steps into Work programme, your Job Coach will assist you in transitioning into paid employment.

Many of our former students have gained paid employment; some in TfL and many in other organisations too.

How to apply for the programme

Applications are now CLOSED.

Email any questions to: stepsintowork@tfl.gov.uk

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Transport for London | Every Journey Matters

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Steps into Work (SIW) is a 12-month programme that offers valuable work experience and employability skills training to people who are neurodivergent.