Project SEARCH Toftshaw is a supported internship programme for young adults, aged 18-25, with a learning disability, or autistic spectrum condition. Most of our interns will have a current EHCP.
See below for how to obtain an application pack. PLEASE NOTE THAT RECRUITMENT IS CURRENTLY SUSPENDED DUE TO COVID 19. PLEASE DO STILL CONTACT US IF YOU ARE INTERESTED. WE WILL UPDATE THIS SECTION AS SOON AS RESTRICTIONS ARE LIFTED
We welcome individual visits from young people and their parents or carers, as well as group visits from professionals.
Project SEARCH Toftshaw is a year long programme based at Next Warehouse in Bradford. Project SEARCH’s goal is to support the interns to gain key skills to find full time paid employment. This includes systematic instruction to learn new skills, and develop the confidence needed to gain and sustain paid employment. The interns are immersed in the host business and fully supported throughout. 75% of Project SEARCH graduates achieve paid employment.
Work Placements
The Programme offers 3 different placements. This gives the interns chance to learn lots of transferrable skills
The interns will gain 900+ hours of work experience
Initial 1:1 support is provided by our Project SEARCH Job Coach
A full time Workplace Mentor works alongside the interns in each placement
Ongoing feedback, and development of skills is carefully monitored
Uniform is provided by the employer
Base Room
We have Base Room sessions twice daily to Reinforce any training that has happened on the placement
Reflect on their placements and working practices
Complete an Employability Skills qualification
Develop a CV, learn job search skills ,and prepare for interviews
Paid Employment
The ultimate goal of Project SEARCH is to support each intern to find full time paid employment
Current statistics show that only 6% of young people with a learning disability are in paid employment
75% of the young people who have previously completed the Project SEARCH programme went on to find paid work
83% of Toftshaws 2018/19 programme achieved full time paid work in an integrated work setting
Follow On Support
HFT provide follow on support for every intern
This may be at the host employer, or an employer outside of the programme
They provide support to learn the new role. They carry out regular reviews and are happy to assist with learning new tasks as the job develops
They support the intern and their employer for as long as they are in work
They also work in partnership with a benefits advice service
Project SEARCH only accept applications from candidates who are aged 18-25 years old, with a learning disability, or autistic spectrum condition. You should also have a current EHCP. This is part of Bradford College enrolment process. Please call for further advice if you do not meet this criteria.
Please note, if you have indicated a preferred programme we will endeavour to offer a place on your preferred location. However places are limited to a maximum of 12 interns on each scheme, so you may be offered a place on your alternative location.
Applications are opened each year in December. Recruitment and selection is carried out in February. The programme will start in September that year.
The Bradford SEND Local Offer is a free and impartial service provided by Bradford Council. The information contained within the website is available for the purposes of identifying services and provision that are available to children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities. This information does not represent a recommendation or an endorsement of a Service or Provider and neither does the Bradford Council or its partners make any representations or warranties as to the accuracy of the information.
Anyone seeking to use or access a service or provision is responsible for undertaking their own checks to determine the suitability and fitness for purpose of that service and provision. Some providers will be registered and inspected by external agencies, such as Ofsted or the Care Quality Commission. Anyone working with children and young people will be required to have appropriate Disclosure and Barring Service Check (the replacement for the Criminal Record Check), safeguarding policies and insurance in place, which they should make available to you on request.
