DFN Project SEARCH
DFN Project SEARCH is a transition from education to employment programme for young people with learning disabilities and/or autism wishing to complete their final year of education and progress to the world of work.
We aim to equip the young person with the relevant behaviour, skills and experience to find and sustain a full-time and meaningful paid job at the end of the programme.
The DFE Internships Work project has produced a document to help young people understand what a supported internship is.
Eligibility criteria
- Aged 17-24
- Have an open Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)
- Be an independent traveller (or if not be be willing to undertake our travel training before the programme starts)
- Can commit to attend for one academic year (September-June), five days a week
- Looking to progress into 16 hours (or more) of paid employment by the end of the programme year
We currently have 3 sites you can join:
- London Borough of Hounslow
- Thorpe Park
- The London Twickenham Stadium Hotel
Commissioned by London Borough of Hounslow, coached by Kaleidoscope and tutored by West Thames College, Interns are based at a host business full-time and are mentored in a structured way.
Our collective ambition for the Interns on each of the three programmes include:
- Personal growth and independence
- Inclusion and total immersion
- Resilience and sustainability
- Enhanced employability skills
- Paid employment
