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Project SEARCH — Supported Internships — Full-time

Course outline

Project SEARCH is a one-year internship program for students with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

The programme provides real work experience combined with training in employability and independent living skills delivered in a business setting to help young people make successful transitions to productive adult life.

Opportunities are diverse and include logistics, catering, domestic services and more. Students participate in up to three internships throughout the course.

Each student has a network of support that includes his or her family, a tutor, job coaches and host business mentors with the aim of aiding the transition from college to work.

Core Components of Project Search

  1. Outcome goal is full-time, paid employment.
  2. True co-production across partners is essential.
  3. Business-led program requiring total immersion in the workplace.
  4. Focus on serving young adults with significant learning disabilities who will need to receive follow-on services to retain employment.
  5. Partners must provide a consistent on-site staff team.
  6. Each agreement site has with a licensing agreement with DFN Project Search.

A Typical Day

A typical day includes (Monday to Friday):
09:15 - 10:00 Classroom instruction in employability and independent living skills.
10:00 - 14:00 Unpaid internship at a facility or department.
14:00 - 15:30 Classroom time to discuss and debrief.

Interns have lunch with colleagues during their workday and participate in meetings and social events.

DFN Project Search Benefits

  1. Internship training experiences.
  2. Competitive, transferable, and marketable job skills.
  3. Increased independence, confidence and self-esteem.
  4. Individualised coaching on the job and feedback daily.
  5. Building personal and professional relationships.
  6. Participation in a curriculum focused on soft skills required to maintain employment in addition to financial literacy, health and more.

How to apply for this course

Apply online to start in 2025/26.

Want to find out more first?

Get in touch by hitting the button below and filling out our enquiry form.

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Location Date
Queens Medical Centre/Nottingham City Hospital
Queen's Medical Centre
Derby Road
Lenton
Nottingham
NG7 2UH

Nottingham City Hospital
Hucknall Road
Nottingham
NG5 1PB

Start: Monday 1st September 2025

Course code: C036079 / Q036080

Duration

1 year

Level Entry Level
Entry requirements

You must be aged 18-24 and have an EHCP (Education, Health & Care Plan) or a recognised assessment of need from your Local Authority.

No formal qualifications required. We will invite you to sit an Initial Assessment and will be looking for a result of Entry Level 2 or Entry Level 3.

If your Initial Assessment results are lower than this, you may be suited to a different course, but don't worry, as after your Initial Assessment, we'll always clearly explain all your options.

Teaching & assessment

You will carry out elements to achieve competence in each component of the course. You will be supported to produce a portfolio of evidence to demonstrate your skills and achievements in every area of the programme.

Progression

Employment in your chosen area of work.

Additional information

You can read more about how we support our learners here.

If you are aged 19 or over you may still be eligible for funding. Check out our Financial Help pages to find out more!

If you are an EU/EEA or Swiss National, please visit our EU Settled Status scheme page for more information.