The supported internship is based at Royal Lancaster Infirmary. You would come here every day, Monday to Friday, 5 days per week.

This is the building you will come to in the morning (9am-10am) and again at the end of the day (3.30pm-4pm). Royal Lancaster Infirmary has its own canteen which you are welcome to use, or you can go into the city centre to get some lunch. Every intern is given a laptop to use for the year on their placement and in classroom sessions.

There are 2 members of staff who will be here to support you every day. They are:

Supportive Internship Lead: Mike Ferguson

This person delivers the employability classes and will also support you on your work placements.

Employability Coach: new staff member coming soon

This person supports you on placement as well as in the employability classes.

Other staff:

Intern Training Coordinator: Clare Chambers

This person is responsible for managing the programme and completing enrolments.

Additional Learning Support Manager: Adam Cowperthwaite

This person is responsible for the EHCP reviews.

The internship programme is a one-academic year long programme that follows the college calendar. This means you will still get college holidays such as half terms, Christmas, and Easter.

You will need to attend the internship Monday to Friday between 9am and 4pm

9am

Arrival to the base room. You will then have a classroom session based around the employability curriculum which is run by the Tutor/Facilitator.

10 am - 3.30 pm

You begin your placement in Royal Lancaster Infirmary. You will get support from your workplace manager and mentor, as well as an employability coach.

Lunch

You will get a lunch break during the day on your placement. The time you get your lunch break may depend on what kind of placement you are on. Food will be provided in the canteen, or you are welcome to bring your own lunch.

3.30pm

Return to the base room for a review. This is the chance for everyone to talk about their day

4pm

Travel home.

We have work placements in lots of different departments across the hospital. We will help match you to a work placement that is suited to your strengths and your interests. Some examples of the departments you could work in are: 

• Catering     
• Portering 
• HR     
• Healthcare Assistants
• Sterile Services     
• Maintenance/Facilities

DFN Project SEARCH does not include any exams or assessments. You will finish the programme with valuable and transferable skills, experience to support you in finding meaningful employment and a CV ready to find employment.

Yes, we will help you to make a CV and apply for jobs. We will also help you to prepare for interviews. Our follow-on employability coach will also support you when you get a job in your new workplace and learn your job role. We will help you to make an “Access to Work” application to fund this support.

So that you can receive individualised support on your work placement your employability coaches get funding from “Access to Work”. To do this you, or your Appointee, (this is usually a family member who supports you with any benefits you receive, such as PIP) will need to sign an application form and claim forms at the end of each term. You will not need to do anything else unless Access to Work contacts you directly. All funding is paid straight to Hft which is a support charity that the employability coaches work for

Now that you are leaving college you must dress and act like the employees at Royal Lancaster Infirmary. You should arrive for the day in smart clothes. You do not need to wear a tie and jacket, but you should wear smart trousers and shirts or polo shirts. This is called “business casual” clothing. Dresses and skirts are also allowed as long as they are smart.