DFN Project SEARCH - Our supported internship programme

About the programme

DFN Project SEARCH is our supported internship programme.

We offer supported internships with:

  • Hounslow Council
  • Thorpe Park
  • London Twickenham Stadium Hotel

Applications are now open for September 2025.

To be suitable for the programme, you need to:

  • be 17 to 24 years old
  • have an open Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)
  • be an independent traveller (or willing to travel training before the programme starts)
  • commit to attending for:
    • one academic year
    • five days a week
    • a full working day, from around 9am to 3.30pm every day
  • want a job, as the aim is to get you ready for full-time paid employment at the end of the programme

The programme runs for one academic year, Monday to Friday, from 9am to 3.30pm.

You are based at a host business, where you do all learning, coaching and work rotations.

You complete three different full-time work rotations, each between ten and 12 weeks. This means you gain around 800 hours of work experience.

There are a range of practical and functional (doing and non-doing) jobs available. All host businesses have a range of departments so interns can develop transferable skills.  Opportunities include:

  • Business administration
  • Catering
  • Communications
  • Customer services
  • Day care centres, community services
  • Education
  • Engineering
  • Facilities management
  • Grounds work
  • Hospitality
  • ICT
  • Reception
  • Retail
  • Security
  • Trades work
  • Warehouse

You are supported by the on-site tutor and job coach, as well as managers and mentors within the host business.

You complete a City and Guilds employability skills qualification during the programme. You can also work towards a qualification in Functional Skills for Maths and English at West Thames College.

You have a dedicated space on-site to complete learning and job reflection whilst on the programme.

When: February to April

  • Attend and open day either in person or online.
  • Check criteria and programme information and make an application. You can get support for this if you need it.

When: February to June

Attend a Skills Assessment and Interview Day (SAID).

Here you will demonstrate your skills, abilities and support needs.

You'll do this through activities and conversations.

We'll let you know the outcome within two weeks. This will either be to:

  • offer you a place on the programme
  • recommend something else to do next

When: June to August

This is the next stage if we offer you a place on the programme.

It helps you to transition onto the programme through activities like:

  • a tour of the workplace
  • meeting a mentor
  • travel training
  • finding out more about the work you'll be doing

When: August to September

  • Complete all the paperwork we need from you.
  • Get your work ID or passes.
  • Sort out your bursary or travel funding.
  • Read and sign the intern agreement.
  • Get your starter schedule and contact details for your new employer.

When: September to October

Begin your amazing journey as an intern on our DFN Project SEARCH programme!

  • Travel training - To be able to travel independently and with confidence
  • Pre-transition coaching (depending on eligibility) - One-to-one sessions and employer insight days with a progression coach to support your transition into your next employment related opportunity
  • Peer mentoring - New Interns have sessions with a current intern or recent graduate to hear about their experience of DFN Project SEARCH. They do short activities to get ready and excited to join us in September

Interns are supported by:

The tutor is available for qualification coaching and additional support when needed.

The job coach helps the intern settle into their role and understand what is expected of them.

They ensure that any adaptations and reasonable adjustments that have been identified are implemented.

Job coaches are available for every new rotation.

If you go into paid employment

You can get:

  • Job coaching - A job coach will be available for the first three months. This period can be extended if necessary.
  • Job retention support - We aim to provide a rapid response service to help overcome any problems affecting the graduate's ability to keep their job.
  • Career progression support - We offer support to progress your career through our Employment Opportunities Service.
If you don't get into paid employment

Kaleidescope Group offers a job development programme for graduates who haven’t yet found a progression opportunity.

It focuses on maintaining the skills, behaviours and qualities developed whilst on the programme as well as continuing employability-related support, including:

  • job searching
  • application and interview support
  • in-the-job settlement

Families are a crucial part of the success of the programme. It's important that families are involved and committed to helping the intern advance through the programme.

We hold regular events throughout an intern's journey for families to attend, which we call the family curriculum.

Term 1 - September to December:
  • Overview of Project SEARCH and how to support your intern
  • Two employment planning meetings
Term 2 - January to March:
  • Jobcentre Plus and Department for Work and Pensions awareness - Access to work and better off in work calculations
  • Two employment planning meetings
Term 3 - April to June:
  • Employer engagement and how to support your graduate
  • Two employment planning meetings
  • Graduation celebration

For any questions, help with an application or a one-to-one chat, you can contact us by:

See: Make an application

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