Project SEARCH Internships

Project SEARCH is our internship programme that opens up a world of paid employment for young people with special needs and disabilities (SEND). We run two internships, both in partnership with London’s Barts Health NHS Trust. Our internships are based at Whipps Cross Hospital and St Bartholomew’s Hospital. The programme helps young people with special needs and disabilities gain employability knowledge and skills within a supportive environment and experiences work experiences. The programme is underpinned by the international and evidence based framework provided by DfN Project Search dfnprojectsearch.org

As part of the internships, young people aged 17+ undertake three work placements at the hospitals in a range of clinical and non-clinical departments as porters, receptionists and assistants. They also undertake an ASDAN qualification, achieving this on completion of their internship.

Throughout the year-long programme, interns receive intensive, personalised learning support from exceptional mentors and job coaches who ensure they feel secure and comfortable every step of the way. Support might include helping interns travel independently to work, giving them the confidence to speak to new people or identifying ways to work through a list of tasks. This support enables our interns to excel in their placements and become highly-valued team members making a meaningful contribution to their department.

With an employment success rate of over 70%, and a proven track record since 2014 of helping young people with SEND secure fulfilling and meaningful jobs, we are proud that our interns go on to gain full-time, paid employment which they have secured through competitive application processes. Our success rates are well above the current national employment figure for people with SEND in paid employment

The impact of Project SEARCH cannot be underestimated; not only does it provide worthwhile employment, it also increases interns’ confidence and self-belief and, most importantly, gives them a sense of purpose in life.

Current placements our interns experience at the hospitals include:

• Administrative: sorting patient notes and making and taking phone calls
• Technical: working in medical engineering and the equipment library
• Portering: moving patients and equipment around the hospital
• Ward Based: restocking equipment
• Friends and Family survey
• Ward Host: serving and preparing food
• Laboratory: booking and logging samples and specimens
• Outpatients: reception and booking appointments
• Food Preparation: preparing food and delivering meals

Who can apply?

Project SEARCH is open to anyone aged 16-24 who has or who has recently had an Education, Health and Care Plan.  Interns need to be able to commit to a five day week programme and should be able to travel independently.

Project Search East London Intern information for September 2024 to July 2025

Meet our interns

Click here to read how Project SEARCH has transformed the lives of our interns.

Further information

To find out more, please visit Project Search. To request an application form, please e-mail Janet Wingate-Whyte at j.wingate-whyte@flourishlearningtrust.org.uk

View Our Case Studies

Project SEARCH Case Studies

‘My journey has been truly transformational and has had a huge impact on the quality of my life.’

Dylan

“I really enjoyed the patient contact and got great satisfaction in helping others. I took pride in my work and was a valued member of the team.”

Cameron

“I am very fortunate to have such an amazing and supportive team and management who have helped me get to where I am today.”

Halima

“The best thing about Project SEARCH was learning new skills and meeting new people. This has been a life changing experience for me.”

Ben

“The Job has given me a sense of purpose in life and helped me to build lots of bridges and build my confidence. It has taught me about taking responsibility in life and becoming more independent.”

Alex

Project Search: A Typical Day