Young people with special educational needs are being helped to secure employment through an internship scheme involving the NHS, councils, schools and colleges.

To celebrate their achievements, all partners held a graduation event on Thursday, July 12, to shine a light on how far the interns have come.

Project SEARCH gives people aged 16 to 24 with a learning disability the opportunity to learn work skills with a clear goal of gaining paid employment.

Walthamstow-based Whitefield Academy Trust co-ordinates two programmes in Whipps Cross Hospital in Leytonstone and The Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel in partnership with Barts Health NHS Trust, Kaleidoscope Sabre supported employment services and Waltham Forest Council.

Of the graduating interns in the last four years, approximately 75 per cent are now in full-time paid employment, working for Barts Health NHS Trust and in community work settings.

Andrew Attfield, associate director of public health at Barts Health NHS Trust said: “We believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to develop to their full potential, and it has been a delight to support our hard-working and capable graduates to flourish during the time they’ve spent with us.

“Secure employment is one of the key foundations for a long-term healthy lifestyle. With many students having come to our hospitals from a young age, it made sense for them to gain skills in a familiar environment.

“I’m delighted that so many have benefited from the experience. My congratulations to everyone graduating.”

Students complete three 10-week placements in a variety of departments at either Newham, The Royal London or Whipps Cross hospitals during the academic year.

Placements include ward roles, medical engineering, pathology, portering, catering and administration.

These give youngsters an opportunity to be fully immersed in a working hospital environment to understand how the system works, as well as gain transferable skills that will also be useful in alternative industries.