Since 2019, our team at Forth Valley Royal Hospital, Scotland, has provided work placements for more than 50 DFN Project SEARCH interns to help transform and improve the social mobility of these young people who have additional needs in the workplace.
DFN Project SEARCH is a business led, one-year transition to employment programme for young people with a learning disabilities and autism. 70% of graduating interns secure paid employment with an average of 60% securing full-time roles, creating life-changing opportunities, and transforming outcomes for these individuals.
We have also recently started this initiative at Great Western Hospital, England, taking on nine interns since the beginning of 2023.
“Since I started on Project SEARCH," said one intern, "I have started to believe in myself every day. Working with Serco has played a massive part on who I have become. Now I can go to work without second guessing myself. I couldn’t have done it without the amazing staff that I have worked with along the way. My stand-out moment is the first time I successfully moved a bed with a patient in it – I’ll never forget the sense of pride I had!”
Our journey with Project SEARCH (currently called the Work Matters Supported Internship programme) began at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital in 2008, where we delivered the very first UK-based programme for Project SEARCH (which originated in the US).
Each programme is a multi-agency partnership, bringing together the expertise of our NHS (National Health Service) customers, Serco, and local further education and employment support organisations.
Participants work alongside Serco colleagues in a variety of roles. They receive additional support from a college tutor and a job coach as they gain experience and learn transferable skills that will prepare them for future employment. Work-based learning is reinforced by classroom sessions focused on key employee competencies, such as communication skills, team working, and health and safety.
Our Project SEARCH programmes have been recognised by DFN Project SEARCH in their annual awards for outstanding outcomes. Significant numbers of Project SEARCH graduates from our UK healthcare sites have obtained full-time paid employment following their placements.
Of Serco and other 'outstanding' programme partners, DFN Project SEARCH CEO, Claire Cookson, has said: “Together we are transforming lives for many young people with learning disabilities and autism, helping them to be recognised as a fantastic talent for employers.”