1. Claire Cookson Deputy Chief Executive Officer

2. Why change is so desperately needed – A rich source of hidden and untapped talent
34% gap & 4x more likely to be lifetime unemployed by the age of 26
10x more likely to be lifetime unemployed if LD (5x if ASD)
The £5.4bn is the money that Local Authorities spend supporting students/adults with special needs – I presume providing facilities such as day care centres, housing (semi-independent living etc.). It is a figure that Louise Jordan provided us with. The £1m is the lifetime cost to ‘UK plc’ of someone who is not working and therefore dependent on benefits over their whole lifetime etc.
Fulfilling Potential – Outcomes and Indicators Framework Progress Report (DWP September 2014) – Page 10
Note – employment gap differs at certain age points e.g. 21% (16-24) and 39% (50-64)
Everyone considers earlier work experience essential

3. What is a Project SEARCH Supported Internship programme?
An education-to-work programme for young people with learning disabilities and Autistic Spectrum Conditions
One academic year
8-12 students with a variety of learning disabilities
Full Time instructor and job coach(es)
Immersed in large host business’s culture
Internship rotations for career exploration and job skills acquisition
Customised job-search assistance
Ongoing In-work support as needed

4. Programme Philosophy
People with disabilities have the right to choose a path toward education and employment. However, while freedom of choice is given, the right to work is earned. Earning the right to work is dependent upon the student's preparation.
Stephen Simon, ADA Quarterly, Fall 1998
7/21/2019

5. During the Project SEARCH year:
Full time job coach on site
Additional job development/coaching
1:4 intern to staff ratio
Skill training
Evaluating
Problem solving
Employability Curriculum delivered by an on-site instructor
Project SEARCH team provide on-site co-ordination

6. The employer provides:
Employer liaison
Internships and mentors
Classroom base

7. Overall Goal: Full time paid employment Improved quality of life
7/21/2019

8. 56 Project SEARCH sites in UK 879 Full Time Paid Jobs (May 2018)
Intern outcomes:
56 Project SEARCH sites in UK
879 Full Time Paid Jobs (May 2018)
35 Hospitals
1 Research Centre
9 Councils
9 Private Sector employers
3 Universities
1 National Trust
: 21 sites – 176 Jobs (60%)
2014: 27 sites – 124 Jobs (65%)
2015: 34 sites – 157 Jobs (64.5%)
2016: 43 sites – 193 Jobs (66%)
2017: 49 sites – 228 Jobs (61%/68%)
2018: 12 new sites -
10 x National Average

9. Host Business Outcomes:
Increase in overall staff satisfaction
Customised talent stream
Performance and retention
Achievement of Diversity goals
Corporate Social Responsibility strategies met

10. After the Project SEARCH Internship year:
Ongoing job coach liaison with the employer
Building trust
Dealing with change!
Ongoing support to the employee as needed:
Mandatory requirements
Performance Development
Reasonable Adjustments
Additional skill training

11. Why are we doing this?
Everyone has the right to aspire to the very best for their future.
The quality of any society can be measured by the care it takes of it’s least privileged members…
Increasing employment among people with SEND enables them to live more independent, fulfilling and secure lives, brings considerable benefits to the individual, to employers and to society as a whole.
With ‘the law of the few’ we will achieve ‘The Tipping Point’.