Project SEARCH Derriford shortlisted for top award
A supported internship programme, based at Derriford Hospital, that supports young adults with learning disabilities to gain paid employment, has been confirmed as a finalist for a top award.
The work of Project SEARCH in supporting young adults with learning disabilities to gain paid employment has been shortlisted in the NHS Inclusivity Leader of the Year category of the 2014 South West Leadership Academy, Leadership Recognition Awards.
The project, now in its fifth year, is a partnership between Derriford Hospital NHS Trust, Pluss, Serco and City College Plymouth who have come together to offer interns with developmental difficulties a pathway into paid employment.
Pluss Employment Advisor on the project, Pip Critten, commented: “We are proud and humbled to be considered amongst the very best working in inclusivity within the NHS and are passionate about the benefits of Project SEARCH, not just to the interns but the whole workforce and wider community.”
Hein Scheffer, Director of HR and Organisational Development at Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “Plymouth Hospitals is proud to be an employer with a diverse workforce that reflects the surrounding population. Being a partner in this project has reinforced our view that employers should focus on people’s abilities and not their limitations.”
The shortlisting of the nomination recognises not only the work to support the interns but for the way they have helped to change attitudes to disability in the workplace.
The nomination states: “Through their outstanding commitment to inclusivity, they have enabled 57% of the graduate Interns to achieve paid employment. This is in contrast to the national average of 6.6% employment for people with Learning Disabilities.”
Members of the team will travel to Bristol for the award ceremony on Friday 21 November 2014.
For further details on Project SEARCH Derriford contact Pip Critten, Employment Advisor for Plymouth Project SEARCH on 07771 967804 or 01752 439008.
