PROJECT SEARCH

Project SEARCH is a Supported Internship programme committed to transforming the lives of young adults with a learning disability. We partner with organisations across the public, private and voluntary sectors to create supported employment opportunities for young people in their last year of education, helping them to take positive first steps into the world of work.

At the end of the programme, on average 60% to 70% of DFN Project SEARCH graduates move into full-time employment.

You can apply to do a Project SEARCH in either Huddersfield with Kirklees Council or Dewsbury with the NHS.

Currently you do need an EHCP to apply for this programme.

What's on offer?

Kirklees Council

Interns at Kirklees Council can do a range of jobs within the organisation, including:

Library assistant
Cleaning
Construction jobs with the Homes and Neighbourhoods team
Admin in the workforce strategy department
Highways Design and Road Safety

Dewsbury Hospital

Working in the wards
Working in the IT department
Print services
Booking clerk
Catering services
Kirklees Direct Customer Service
Nursery

Other placements:

Greenhead Park café
Gardening at Deer Wood Park
Catering at Cherry Trees Residential Home
Dewsbury Moor Children’s Centre
Oxfam Mirfield

Take a look at Project Search

Tailored pathways

We offer bespoke pathways in healthcare and childcare in Dewsbury, where interns can access placements in these sectors to help build a career in these industries.

Care Pathway

On this pathway, you will have opportunities to work in a care setting at Dewsbury and Pinderfields Hospitals, day care centres, SEND schools or care homes. During your placement, you will have the opportunity to join the NHS Health Care Academy to take part in training. You will also learn how to assist patients with food and drink and be trained in Makaton to communicate effectively with patients who have communication difficulties.

Childcare Pathway

Placements on this pathway could be in local schools, nurseries and community groups which will prepare you to work in childcare. You will receive bespoke training on working with children including phonics, key words, Numeracy, Literacy, British Values and safeguarding. You will also develop your knowledge of working with SEND children and receive Makaton training.

Case Studies

"Project SEARCH has been a positive experience from the start and has been a learning curve for me as well as the interns. I first embarked on my journey with Project Search around 2 years ago. The skills coaches have been a big help from the start of the process, providing us training on neurodiversity and helping us with any questions we may have during the intern’s rotation. Project SEARCH is an initiative that I 100% advocate and would hope that many other companies embark on a journey of their own and see all the benefits for themselves, not only will they be helping a young adult get into employment, it will help the wider community and fully support an inclusive workplace."

"When we were approached by the Project Search, we were very excited to have the opportunity to engage and to be able to support community members, helping them develop their skills into the workforce. Our department has learnt a lot about equality, what support really means and the word understanding. We have grown in our knowledge, and I personally have been able to see how giving more of ourselves can bring such a huge reward. Our interns have shown a great enthusiasm for the training and the role. They have immersed themselves in the department, built positive relationships and gained a lot of understanding."

"Morgan did some travel training over summer so he could go on Project SEARCH, he then joined the great team at Dewsbury Hospital. He worked on placements with the IT team, he really enjoyed it and has gained so much confidence whilst being on Project SEARCH. He was given the right amount of support which he needed to flourish and become independent, he has settled in very well after, he gained a full-time job at towards the end of the programme as an IT technician and has since gone from strength to strength." - Paula (Morgan’s Mum)

“I was very lost before coming to Project SEARCH. The course gave me the guidance and support I needed, and the skills I learnt gave me the experience and confidence I needed to get a job I enjoy with a competitive wage.”

“Project SEARCH helped me get to where I am today. It helped with my confidence and I was able to make friends. It also helped me to become independent and try out things and job roles I thought I wouldn’t like. I had amazing opportunities and experiences I will never forget.”

“This programme is amazing it’s help me work out exactly what I want to do and given me the skills I need to do it.”

Meet our Project SEARCH Interns

Project SEARCH is a partnership between Kirklees College, Kirklees Council and REAL Employment and DFN Project Search. Meet the interns that have taken part in this Project and what they have to say about it!