The DFN Project SEARCH Supported Internship Programme provides on-site practical work training at London North West University Healthcare - Northwick Park Hospital for young adults with special educational needs.
What is it?
DFN Project SEARCH is a one-year internship programme for young people with learning disabilities. It is aimed at those young people whose goal is competitive employment in the community.
It is a collaborative venture between Harrow College, Northwick Park Hospital, Kaleidoscope, Harrow Council and the West London Alliance.
The course is designed to develop transferable skills, knowledge and understanding about work in readiness for paid employment. Students will develop employability, customer service, confidence, maths, English and ICT skills whilst working alongside employees in a real work setting.
Learning at the workplace will enable students to try out three different work roles, supported by the tutor, job coaches and workplace mentors.
How it works
The programme runs five days a week, for a full academic year.
Typically, interns complete three work placements between 10 – 12 weeks in length.
Those taking part will have learning disabilities and/or autistic spectrum conditions.
Interns are expected to travel independently to the workplace where possible and required to follow the NWLU Healthcare NHS Trust induction, new employee checks, Occupational Health guidelines as well as work to the Trusts visions, values and behaviours.
Benefits of the programme
Interns will:
- Participate in a rotation of tasks with a high status local employer
- Acquire competitive, transferable and marketable job skills
- Gain increased independence, confidence, self-esteem and friendship groups
- Receive work-based individual instruction, coaching, support and feedback from the job coach, teacher and host business managers
- Get the chance to improve English and maths as well as gain a Work Skills qualification.
Typical departments that are involved
Departments offering placements often include:
- Linen and Laundry
- Patient Dining – Pick & Pack and Ward Hosts
- Restaurant - Catering Assistants
- Paediatric Department
- Medical Records
- Estates and Facilities
- T.S.D.U (Sterile Services)
- Oral Surgery
- Endoscopy
- Medical Engineering
- Portering
- Physiotherapy and Outpatients Receptions
- Main Stores, Catering Stores, Domestic Stores
- Pharmacy
- Dental Training Laboratory
- Post Graduate Training and Development.
Entry requirements
To participate in this programme, applicants must:
- Be aged between 18-24 on the 31st of August 2025 and have an Education, Health and Care Plan in place.
- Commit to a 5 day a week programme and be an independent traveller or be undertaking travel training.
To apply click here or to find out more please contact:
Jane Hamilton
Project Search Supported Internship Instructor
E:
T: 07 82432 1333