DFN Project Search - Applications
DFN Project Search - Applications opening January 2026!
Do you know, or are you, a young person (18 – 29 years) who has a learning disability and / or autism who wants to move into work? If so, DFN Project SEARCH might be a great next step.
DFN Project Search is an internship-based work experience programme that supports young people aged 18 to 29 to develop the skills needed to secure and maintain meaningful paid employment. Throughout the programme, each intern is guided by job coaches, college lecturers, workplace buddies, and mentors.
Key features of the programme include:
• A strong focus on achieving sustainable paid employment
• Operating across an academic year, from August to June
• Being delivered full time at either NHS Glasgow Royal Infirmary or the University of Strathclyde
• Offering three ten-week supported work placements, allowing interns to explore a variety of work environments
• Running Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm
More than 70% of participants move into employment upon completion. The programme has created life-changing opportunities and has had a transformative impact on young people and their families.
Throughout the year, interns will:
• Develop competitive, transferrable and marketable job skills
• Receive 800 hours of structured employability support from lecturers, job coaches, host business managers, and workplace buddies/mentors
• Build independence, confidence and self-esteem
A young person who completed the programme last year said, “The support on the programme was good, it made me feel that I was supported and had a safety net. It also made me feel more comfortable and confident to learn new things. I have a belief in myself and my abilities that I never had before.”
A parent whose son recently finished DFN Project Search and secured employment said: “My son is enjoying work so much that he is reluctant to book annual leave. He said he would rather be at work than at home, as it's boring all day! Who would have thought? We are beyond proud the way he has just taken to work and gets up every morning no bother, without being shouted, it’s fantastic!”.
Recruitment for DFN Project Search will begin in January 2026 for the next academic year commencing August 2026.
Our sites have been delivering DFN Project SEARCH for over 10 years, check out our videos below for each site to get a glimpse of what it’s really like:
DFN Project SEARCH NHS Glasgow Royal Infirmary 10 Year Video
DFN Project SEARCH University of Strathclyde 10 Year Video
For more information or an informal chat, please contact supportedemployment@glasgow.gov.uk.