Project Search

Project Search is a Supported Internship programme started in America in 1996. It's aims are to support young people with a Learning Disability or Autism or both into paid employment. 

Ellesmere partnered with the UK based DFN Project Search in 2022. We initially worked with Leicester Hospital but now have a base at Hotel Voco and Leicester University. We’ve also had a range of additional local businesses host students for a work rotation.

Within the UK 4.8% of those with SEN gain paid employment but up to 60% of those completing the DFN Project Search programme secure permanent paid employment. 

Interns are Post 16 students who spend a full year learning the skills for employment. Their learning whilst on the programme consists of one hour tutoring from an Ellesmere member of staff each day with the rest of the day devoted to learning various jobs within one of our host sites. Interns will spend ten weeks at a time learning all aspects of a job with the support of a work-based mentor and Ellesmere staff. They complete three ten week work rotations over the year before being supported to secure employment.

We have three Ellesmere staff who are based permanently at the business sites who offer students and families support throughout the year long process. Head of Post 16 visits weekly to monitor progress and to maintain links with the college.

We now have graduates of the course working in paid roles at the hospital within the departments of porters, domestics, admin and food and catering. We also have interns employed at Hotel Voco as part of Food and Beverage and housekeeping. This year graduates were successful in gaining employment at Meadows carehome, Leicester Council and Leicester University and two students are awaiting the outcome of their interviews at Leicester Royal Infirmary.

We are always looking for young people interested in this route into employment and for businesses willing to host our students during their internships. 

If you would like to know more please contact Sally Gough to arrange a visit.