The role

Southwark Council’s Internship programme is for residents aged 16-25 who may be looking to get a great first stepping stone into the world of work. We are excited to announce our upcoming internship cohort to start in February 2026.

The programme will run for 12 weeks and will incorporate three key elements:

Paid work experience
Master classes
A group project

What will you gain on the internship programme?

Gain Transferrable Skills

Interns are able to gain skills such as: communication, adaptability, time management, organisation, etc. The experience itself will assist them in gaining meaningful employment, as they are able to evidence knowledge of local government in interviews and their ability to carry out a role.

Develop Professional Contacts

Interns will network as part of the experience, which will give them professional contacts. These contacts can help them to secure future employment, advice in their chosen profession and career advice. As part of the support from our team, we will be holding a masterclass on networking.

Clarification on Future Career

Internships give people the opportunity to try working in new and exciting services and potentially areas of interest, to narrow down their career path.

About you

We’re looking for enthusiastic, curious and motivated individuals who are ready to take their first steps into the world of work. You don’t need previous experience - what matters most is your interest in learning, growing and getting involved.

You’ll bring a positive attitude, an open mind, and a genuine willingness to try new things. Whether you’re supporting a project, meeting new people or learning how different teams work, you’ll approach each task with confidence and a desire to do your best.

You’ll also be someone who:

Enjoys working with others and building positive relationships
Is dependable and willing to take responsibility
Approaches challenges with flexibility and a can-do mindset
Is keen to explore different career paths and understand how the Council serves residents
Wants to contribute to meaningful work in your community

Most importantly, you’re excited to be part of a supportive team and ready to make the most of this opportunity.

We have Internship opportunities available in the following service areas:

Organisational Development: Join our friendly Organisational Development team and gain hands-on experience in shaping Southwark Council’s culture and delivering on our early careers and apprenticeships offer. Work with staff from across the organisation, building networks and learning how change happens. Support our 2030 vision to “Empower people” and support the delivery of developmental initiatives for staff and residents. Support the planning and delivery of assessment days and staff events that bring people together, raise awareness and boost engagement. Be part of a team that really values collaboration, creativity, and making a positive impact. If you're curious, people-focused, and ready to learn, we’d love to have you on board.

Leisure: Join our dynamic Operations Team as an intern and play a key role in shaping the future of Southwark’s Leisure Service. You’ll support exciting projects including Decarbonisation, Optimisation, Dilapidation, and Centre Development, gaining hands-on experience in sustainable operations and strategic planning. This role offers a unique opportunity to develop valuable skills in project management, data analysis, stakeholder engagement, and environmental innovation. You’ll be part of a team driving real change, with insights that will enhance your future career in local government and leisure services. If you're passionate about community impact and eager to learn, we’d love to hear from you.

Climate Change and Community Energy Fund: Are you passionate about sustainability and making a real impact on climate action? Environment, Sustainability & Leisure department is seeking two motivated individuals to join our department. These roles sit within our Climate Change Team and offer hands-on opportunities to contribute to vital projects that shape Southwark’s greener and fairer future. Southwark Council’s Climate Change and Community Energy team supports the borough’s goal to be carbon neutral by 2030. Both roles offer hands-on experience in sustainability within local government. Interns will gain skills in project delivery, stakeholder engagement, and environmental policy.

Please note that by applying for an internship with our organisation, you are applying for placement in any of our available departments. While we will make every effort to consider your stated preferences, final interviews and placement will be allocated and may depend on availability and organisational needs.

Additional details

The Internship programme is for 12 weeks and open for residents aged 16-25.

We are a Living Wage employer and in line with our aims of leading by example, at the minimum our Interns will be paid at the London Living Wage.

About Southwark:

Southwark Council is the largest local authority social landlord in London, managing 55,000 homes lived in by 40% of Southwark’s residents. We are home to over 18,300 businesses including iconic London venues such as The Shard, The Tate Modern and Borough Market along with many social enterprises and we have a young, diverse, and growing population.At Southwark we are committed to making our borough just and fair and are taking positive action to tackle inequalities.?Our residents and communities are our greatest asset and the passion we have for Southwark is shared by millions of Londoners who enjoy our outstanding cultural offer, use our hospitals and attend our universities.Our refreshed borough plan and focus on Southwark Stands Together, (which is our work with Southwark’s communities and the council’s staff to tackle racism, injustice and inequality) underpins all that we do.

We particularly welcome applications from members of the Black, Asian, and ethnic mino

Southwark Council

New Jobs

Intern Placement