Project Search

What is Project Search?

DFN Project SEARCH is a one-year transition to work programme for young adults aged between 18-24 who have an Education Health Care Plan (EHCP) and a learning disability or autism spectrum conditions, or both.

Everyone deserves the right to aspire to the very best future, yet only 4.8% of people in England (and 4.1% of people in Scotland) with a learning disability who are known to local authorities go on to secure paid employment, compared to 80% of their peers.

At the end of the programme, on average 60% of DFN Project SEARCH gradates move into full-time permanent roles and 70% of DFN Project SEARCH graduates gain jobs in total.

We believe in empowering all young people to enter the workplace with confidence.

What support is available?

Interns are supported on-site by a job coach and tutor, who are based in the hospital all the time. Their role is to foster independence and confidence, enabling the interns to learn their tasks and to complete them to the same standard as everyone else.

2023 / 2024 Cohort

At Chesterfield Royal Hospital we supported 13 interns through the programme and provided placements from a number of areas around Chesterfield Royal and Derbyshire Support and Facilities Services (DSFS).

Here are some case studies created by the interns to show their progress throughout their year-long journey with Project Search