DFN Project SEARCH

🚨"Supported internships are a key part of the Government’s mission to ensure that all young people are supported to achieve the skills they need to be successful in the workplace, regardless of their background." 👩Yesterday, Jodie Gosling MP led the first ever debate on supported internships in the House of Commons. We know how life changing supported internships are. But in this debate, the Department for Education and new The Labour Party government formally recognised the important role supported internships play in helping young people with learning disabilities and autism into employment. It was wonderful to hear MPs raise awareness of their local programmes and quote interns and graduates, with many saying their interns had gained confidence and employment. We are proud to be part of the Internships Work consortium with NDTi - National Development Team for Inclusion and BASE (British Association for Supported Employment) and will continue to work to transform the lives of young people. ➡️ In case you missed it, you can watch the debate here: https://lnkd.in/ewXeqqiX

🤔Got plans on March 27th? Join us for one of our webinars to celebrate National Supported Internship Day! ➡️Sign up here if you are an existing employer ambassador: https://lnkd.in/efVMbXep ➡️Sign up here to become an employer ambassador: https://lnkd.in/efVMbXep ➡️If you are a parent or carer and want to learn more about supported internships: https://lnkd.in/eWZf8yKK ➡️If you are a young person wanting to learn about supported internships: https://lnkd.in/eZvChgGT

🚀 It’s #NationalSupportedInternshipDay, and that means it’s time for our annual competition across all our sites! We challenge each site to think outside the box and get creative in raising awareness—after all, they’ll need the support of their community and networks to win the vote! 🗳️✨ In the past, we’ve seen incredible efforts, from mountain climbs to bake sales and even treasure hunts! What will you come up with this year? We can't wait to see your entries! Cast your vote here: https://lnkd.in/efsjDrKJ 🎉

Today, people are coming together in Newcastle to celebrate, connect, and contribute at the North East Internships Work Regional Conference! We're marking three years of impact—three years of changing lives, shifting systems, and strengthening pathways into employment for young people with SEND. This work has shown what’s possible when local authorities, employers, educators, young people, and their families come together with a shared commitment to inclusion and opportunity. Today is about collaboration and the future—ensuring that every young person has the support they need to build the independent future they choose for themselves. NDTi - National Development Team for Inclusion DFN Project SEARCH BASE (British Association for Supported Employment) #InternshipsWorkLegacy #SupportedInternships #Inclusion #NorthEast

We were really pleased to welcome the interns from DFN Project SEARCH for Asda Colne today as part of their wellbeing time! 🎉 A great bunch of young lads who interacted so well, got involved in the activities and made the most of our games room. They had a brilliant time! A huge thanks to Tom and Ash for bringing them down – it was a pleasure to have them. Nelson and Colne College We're already looking forward to their next visit, with a gym session and snooker session planned. See you all again soon! 🎱💪 #Wellbeing #DFNInterns #Community Active Lancashire Pendle Borough Council PAC Positive Action In The Community Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)

🚨 We’re on the news! 📺✨ We’re so proud of our Amazon supported internship programme in Swansea which was featured on ITV this week. Well done to Rhys for sharing his story. Watch below 👇

🙎♂️ Our youth advisory and co-production assistant Harry Georgiou is leading a campaign to light up monuments across the country with our #NSID orange! So far, 20+ monuments are set to be lit up on March 27th to celebrate National Supported Internship Day! Supported internships are a vital pathway for young people with learning disabilities to transition into employment. Each year on March 27th, we raise awareness of supported internships across the country. This year, we want to make NSID bigger and better. Help us by working with your local monuments to have them lit up for NSID. More information is available in our NSID pack.

🔵 The Lord-Lieutenant for Lancashire visited Asda in Colne recently to meet the interns on our supported internship programme at Nelson and Colne College The Lord Lieutenant said “Their self-confidence was a joy to see, and they had developed excellent working relationships with the other staff.” Congratulations to all involved in this excellent programme! 👏

👩 "Lauren's done all the hard work, she's invested herself in the internship and she's got out of it what she's put into it. "And along the way, I think she's touched a lot of people's hearts." We love seeing interns thrive! Laura graduated from a wonderful supported internship programme at The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust with Shrewsbury Colleges Group which has resulted in her gaining employment. Congratulations Laura and all those involved. ➡️ Find out more here https://lnkd.in/e35zbmuJ

Super proud to receive my Supported Internship Employer Champion badge from DFN Project SEARCH in the post today, following last year's training session! This course has enabled me to spread the word with confidence about the value of supported internships and of employing young adults with a learning disability or autism spectrum condition. I will wear it with pride and continue to shout it from the rooftops! Internships Work Programme #employerchampion #inclusiverecruitment #supportedinternships #supportedemployment