Course Overview
The supported internship programme has been developed in partnership with DFN Project SEARCH and a host employer, the NHS. This is a 5-day internship based at the workplace, Westmorland general hospital. DBS clearance and NHS occupation health clearance are mandatory.
The programme is aimed at young people aged 17-25 with an EHCP who are ready to make the transition from education and aspire to paid employment. Working with a work based tutor and a Job Coach you will have the opportunity to learn and practice essential skills in a real working environment. You will rotate through three skill-building opportunities at the workplace to broaden your skillset and work in a variety of different settings. The workplace rotations will be matched to aid your development and skills acquisition.
Training room activities are designed around: Team Building, Workplace Safety, Technology, Maintaining Employment, Self Advocacy, Financial Literacy, Health and Wellness, and Preparing for Employment.
You will be placed on a rotation with the hospital or within partner businesses that will help to develop your skills and knowledge.
Hospital department rotations:
- Clerical/Admin/Shredding
Filing, data entry, other computer skills, phones, reception, meet and greet, information desk, digital scanning, coding, monitoring meetings and typing up, audio typing.
- Portering
Moving equipment, waste, post, meals, supplies and patients throughout the hospital.
- Maintenance
PAT testing, painting, changing lightbulbs, changing filters, fridges - temperature checking, waste management, mending and ensuring the site is safe and secure.
- Retail
Till work, fronting shelves, expiration date check.
- Sterile Services
Surgical kit assembly, sterilising (e.g. Gastro and scoping areas), wrapping jugs and bowls, stocking, picking up and prepping dirty side instruments.
- Pharmacy
Delivery, stocking, reporting, delivering orders to the wards.
- Medical Records
Filing, retrieving, purging, pulling documents, record transportation to clinics.
- Stores
Receiving, delivery, stocking, post room.
- Durable Medical Equipment
Equipment sterilisation, pick up and delivery (wheelchairs, incubators, IV pumps, isolettes).
- Catering
Hospitality (fridge stocking), meeting room set up, food handling (meal preparation, External meal delivery) cafe and kitchens work, Costa coffee and RVS shops.
- Domestics
Cleaning public and medical areas, wet and dry mopping floors, deep cleaning ground floor windows, walls and ceilings, corridors and offices and wards.
- Laundry
Bagged and picked up from floors, counted, folded and returned to floors.
- Education centre
Room set up, booking systems,registers.
Entry Requirements
Entry aspirations Level 1, GCSE English and Maths.
There are no formal entry requirements but your place must be commissioned by the local authority. You must also be highly motivated and have a desire to secure a job after the programme concludes.
Independent traveller is prefered, travel training will be given.
After Your Course
There is a likelihood that successful completion of the programme could lead to paid employment with the NHS. Nationally 5.1 percent of young people with learning difference gain employment yet 75% of those supported by DFN Project SEARCH and Kendal college secure paid roles after graduation.
Ongoing job coach support throughout the year which tapers as the interns skills and knowledge increases.
Opportunity to attend a monthly job club to help with gaining sustainable employment of 16 hours or more.
