PROJECT SEARCH

WELCOME  Presentation on Project SEARCH  Rowan Hendry – Job Coach – Glasgow City Council - Project SEARCH University of Strathclyde  Siobhan Martin – Lecturer – City of Glasgow College - Project SEARCH University of Strathclyde

THE BEGINNING OF PROJECT SEARCH  Project SEARCH was developed at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Centre in 1996  High turnover of entry level positions within the hospital  Felt that individuals with developmental disabilities could be trained to fill some of these roles which involved more complex and systematic roles  Project SEARCH has now grown from one site in Cincinnati to over 300 worldwide

PROJECT SEARCH, GLASGOW  2 Project SEARCH sites within Glasgow  Project SEARCH NHS – Royal Infirmary – Learning disabilities  Project SEARCH Strathclyde – University of Strathclyde – Autism specific  Applicants to the course must be:  18 – 24  A resident of Glasgow  Have a learning disability or an autism diagnosis  Be wanting to work 16 hours+ per week

PROJECT SEARCH STRATHCLYDE  Project SEARCH Strathclyde - partnership between:  University of Strathclyde  Glasgow City Council Supported Employment Service  City of Glasgow College  Autism Network Scotland  Aim of the Project is to build on existing employability skills and enable interns to find and sustain employment

STRUCTURE OF PROJECT SEARCH STRATHCLYDE  Course runs from August to June with interns graduating in June  Day starts at 9am, finishes 4pm, Monday to Friday  Interns follow the college holidays  Interns are in class between 9 and 9:45 am  Are in rotation from 10 to 2:30pm  Interns return to class from 2:45 to 4pm  Interns time is split between class and 3 x 10 week long rotations throughout the University  After each rotation finishes, interns come back into the class for a transition week

WHAT DO INTERNS DO IN CLASS?  Follow Project SEARCH curriculum  Team building  Getting around your workplace, workplace safety  Technology  Social skills  Presentation and interviewing skills - mock interviews with employers and employer visits  Money management  Health and wellness  CV and career passport  Job searching  Keeping a job

WHAT HAPPENS ON ROTATION?  Interns are able to choose from a list of rotations throughout the University  Not always able to get their first choice but are matched as closely as possible  Rotations include: Admin roles within the Business School, Education, ANS, Social Work and Social Policy, Estates Services and Careers Service  Logistics and Hospitality Assistant, Kitchen – Commis Chef, Food and Beverage Assistant, Customer Service Advisor – Centre for Sport and Recreation, Handyperson Services – Residences, Mechanical and Electrical, Library  Interns are matched with a buddy who acts as a mentor and role model to them throughout their rotation  Interns carry out ‘real’ work experience and are treated the same as any other employee  Job Coach assists them with their rotation

PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT  Updates to parents via newsletter, s and phone calls  Involvement at Employment Planning Meetings  Opportunity to meet with other parents at events  Graduation

SUPPORT FOR INTERNS  Ongoing support within the classroom  Ongoing support whilst on rotation  Interviews  Starting work advice  Job coaching  Referral to money advice team for support with tax credits, benefits

AFTER PROJECT SEARCH  Support for interns continues after Project SEARCH  1-1 support from a Job Coach with job searching, interviews for up to 2 years on leaving the project  Interns within work will also have access to a Job Coach for any support issues they may have

QUESTIONS?  –  – Project SEARCH University of Strathclyde Room 620, Graham Hills Building 40 George Street G1 1QE