Project SEARCH
Award-winning Project SEARCH, a partnership between a host business, education & adult supported employment with the primary objective to secure full-time, paid employment for people with learning disabilities. The goal is to provide on-site internship experiences, helping young adults with learning disabilities to acquire the necessary skills to gain competitive employment through a 33-week placement.
The Trust was initially approached by Whitefield Academy Trust School which partnered with Hornbeam Academy Trust school in Walthamstow to facilitate the establishment of a Project Search scheme for its students with placements in Whipps Cross Hospital. The scheme has been expanding to include other major sites within Barts Health NHS Trust which include Newham General Hospital, Mile End Hospital and St Barts Hospital. This has meant more employment and training opportunities for young people with learning disabilities across the east London patch. The project now provides internships for over 30 new learners annually.
For further information please drop an email to: communityInitiative.bartshealth@nhs.net
Community Works for Health
Approximately 60-80 per cent of health and wellbeing is attributable to the social determinants of health. Employment is one of the key determinants. There is an inherent and reciprocal link between health and work. Being in good work with fair pay and conditions improves people’s overall physical and mental health and supports quality of life; good health enables people to work, creating a virtuous cycle.
Through inclusive employment and targeted activities, Barts Health has made a significant impact on enhancing the lives of local people experiencing deprivation and inequalities, supporting economic and social recovery and levelling up. The Community Works for Health programme offers a pathway into Barts Health jobs at B2-3 through pre-employment opportunities open to local people.
Community Works for Health Pathway
CWfH supports the local economy by increasing the employability of local people through training, coaching and placements so they can secure Band 2 to 3 positions at Barts Health and other NHS agencies. Band 2 to 3 roles include healthcare/clinical support roles and roles within clinical and corporate administration.
The CWfH offer is a systematic response to the workforce needs of Barts Health whilst meeting the needs of the local economy by recruiting from deprived communities in core east London areas – the London boroughs of Tower Hamlets, Newham and Waltham Forest. It recognises that employment and improved skills are linked to improved health outcomes.
NHS Opportunities Days and local partnership
These are open days that take place in partnership with key employment stakeholders in east London that allow local residents to be assessed for their readiness for employment in the Trust. It includes tests in English and Maths. Candidates who are not yet ready are directed to further support whilst those who are assessed as ready are signposted to the Talent Pool.
Talent Pool
Through local east London partners, a Talent Pool approach is made available to local people for regular Band 2-3 vacancies. After passing the assessment for English and Math, successful candidates complete a two-week employability course and a work placement (if necessary) to develop an understanding and introduction to the NHS workplace. Candidates are then invited to join a Talent Pool which offers early and direct access to vacancies in Bands 2-3 roles when they become available. The Trust recruits over 100 new starts annually from east London.
The programme recruits an average of 100 people every year, and since launching in 2012 has helped employ over 1,000 local residents.
If you live in the City of London, Tower Hamlets, Newham or Waltham Forest are interested in the programme and would like to attend an information day please send a CV with your post code to our team.