Project Search Derby

We are a host site for Project Search, an international programme that supports young people with learning disabilities to gain skills and experience to assist them in securing paid employment.

In September 2019 we welcomed nine interns to Royal Derby Hospital through the scheme.  During a one year programme, and alongside employability skills training, interns participate in three 10 week placements hosted by various teams across the Trust and ISS. 

Placements are available in catering, portering, receipts and distribution, administration, pathology and clinical engineering.  The interns are assigned a mentor for each placement and are supported by a team of tutors who are based on site.

Disabled young adults are significantly underrepresented in the nation’s workforce and are far less likely to secure employment than the general population. Only six percent of young adults with a learning disability known to their local authority in England are in paid work. The project has been successful in other NHS Trusts and at Barts Healthcare, 52% of students who completed the internship went on to secure paid employment.


We are working in partnership with:

  • St Martins School - Horizons Sixth Form
  • Royal School for the Deaf Derby
  • ISS Facility Services
  • Derbyshire Education Business Partnership
  • DFN Project Search

If you would like to find out more about Project Search at Royal Derby Hospital please email anna.drake@nhs.net.

Spotlight on our Project Search Students: Ryan

Ryan's Project Search story

Ryan, a student from Royal School for the Deaf Derby, has thanked our Restaurant Team for helping him reach his goals of working in the catering industry.


Read about Ryan's Project Search story >