Nottingham University Hospitals relaunch a work programme for young people with learning disabilities and autism
Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) is relaunching its supported internship programme DFN Project SEARCH.
As a large employer, NUH will work in partnership with Nottingham College and Nottinghamshire County Council to help young people with learning disabilities gain the skills they need to get meaningful, paid jobs which will change their life chances significantly.
DFN Project SEARCH programmes are building a more inclusive society by helping young people with learning disabilities and autism to access high quality work-related learning through supported internships and improved opportunities to access long-term paid employment.
Students attend for a full academic year on-site at the host business, and the programme includes a combination of employability skills teaching, career exploration and hands-on training through a series of job rotations supported by qualified job coaches.
DFN Project SEARCH CEO Claire Cookson said: “We are very proud of all our partners who we work with in delivering DFN Project SEARCH and the impact it is making to the lives of young people with learning disabilities and autism in Nottinghamshire.”
“Every young person has a right to aspire to work, something that is often denied to people with learning disabilities and autism. The great work of our partners is an incredible commitment to ensuring quality working opportunities are available for those with learning disabilities and autism in Nottinghamshire.”
Giles Matsell, Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at Nottingham University Hospitals said: “We are delighted to be partnering with Nottingham College, our new education partners and Nottinghamshire County Council to support young people with learning disabilities.
"One of our shared key priorities is giving all young people the best start in life, and by signing up to this programme, we are creating opportunities for some of the most disadvantaged young people in our community and working towards a more inclusive society, addressing health inequalities through supported employment. For many of the young people, this could be a stepping stone into a long career with us."
The interns will be welcomed onto placements provided by our Estates and Facilities Team who have an outstanding record of supporting interns on Project Search.
For further details and to discuss the programme, contact Giles Matsell giles.matsell@nuh.nhs.uk
Mark Johnson, Nottingham College Faculty Area Manager said: “We are pleased to announce this exciting partnership for young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in Nottinghamshire.
"We will be welcoming ten very keen supported interns who have undertaken a comprehensive assessment and induction programme. They will be experiencing a number of placement opportunities throughout various departments within the City site.
"We are all passionate about transforming the life chances of our disadvantaged learners through the delivery of an offer that goes above and beyond conventional SEND provisions. This will ensure young people with SEND in Nottinghamshire are empowered to make the most of their potential through an employer driven opportunity and partnership that develops the key independent living, employability and personal skills valued by us all."