An NHS Lanarkshire programme that helps young people with autism and learning disabilities into employment recently celebrated 10 years at University Hospitals Monklands and Hairmyres. A virtual event – presented by Carmel McKeogh, director and programme specialist at DFN Project Search – was held in recognition of those who have participated in the programme over the last 10 years. Over 60 attendees heard speeches from chief executive officers of partners involved in Project Search, as well as video messages from some of the interns and graduates.
DFN Project Search is an internship programme with partners including NHS Lanarkshire as the host business, New College Lanarkshire as the education provider, North Lanarkshire Council and South Lanarkshire Council as the supported employment providers, International Service System (ISS) and Serco. The programme celebrated 10 years of success in transforming the lives of young people with learning disabilities and autism, with 138 students to date having graduated through the programme.
Many now remain in frontline roles across NHS Lanarkshire, making a huge impact during the Covid pandemic, spanning laboratory assistants, porters, administration, catering, retail, domestics, waste management operators and customer services. These amazing jobs have also transformed the lives of these young, bringing greater independence and widening their aspirations.
The success is testament to the effectiveness of DFN Project Search’s pioneering transition to work programme and the brilliant partnership in Lanarkshire, which equips its interns with so many employability skills for jobs that are making a difference to the country in a time of crisis.
The partnership with each of the acute hospitals shows how collaboration between the NHS, local authorities, colleges and schools and supported employment providers – partnered with the evidence-based DFN Project Search programme – can be a force for transformative change in the lives of young people with learning disabilities or autism.
Eddie Docherty, executive nurse director, NHS Lanarkshire, said: “I’m delighted that NHS Lanarkshire has been able to support this brilliant project at University Hospitals Monklands and Hairmyres for the last 10 years and at University Hospital Wishaw for over 12 years.
“DFN Project Search offers work experience opportunities to young people with learning disabilities and autism and, over the last 10 years, 138 students have graduated from the programme after undertaking a range of roles across NHS Lanarkshire.
“I am also extremely pleased that 113 of those who graduated have gained permanent employment with NHS Lanarkshire, South Lanarkshire Council, ISS, WH Smith, North Lanarkshire Council, McDonalds, Tesco, ACS Clothing, DWP, G Shanks Allied Timber, Morrisons, Greggs and the Citizens Advice Bureau to name just a few.
“NHS Lanarkshire recognises the impact the project has on these young people lives. In addition to securing employment, other positive effects include improved communication and social skills, increase levels of confidence in the workplace and in their personnel lives. It is also important to note that many people with a learning disability have poor health and the positive impact employment has on these people.
“While we offer the opportunities, it is the young people themselves who are the inspiration to everyone they work with, from their lecturers, job coaches, site mentors and the wider NHS family.”
Claire Cookson, chief executive, DFN Project Search, said: “Our programme, which is the biggest transition to work programme in Scotland, has a transformative effect on the interns who take part, with more than 1900 people now employed across the UK and 60 per cent of those interns achieving full-time permanent roles”.
