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Edinburgh Project SEARCH

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Edinburgh Project SEARCH

Edinburgh Project SEARCH is a programme which supports young people with disabilities into employment This programme is funded by The City of Edinburgh Council.

Edinburgh Project SEARCH supports young people with a disability, living in Edinburgh or the Lothians, to gain the skills needed for employment. The programme is delivered in partnership with host businesses, educational provider and supported employment specialist. In Edinburgh our partners are the City of Edinburgh Council, Edinburgh College, NHS Lothian and Virgin Hotels. Edinburgh Project SEAR

CH is for young people aged 16-29 with a recognised disability, who want to move into employment but may lack the skills or experience or be facing other barriers stopping them from getting a job. The young people take part in 3 full-time work placements within the host business, each placement lasting around 10 weeks, resulting in improved skills and confidence and 800 hours of work practice. A tutor and job coaches are based on site at all times, working closely with the business to provide classroom learning, work placements and on-going support. Outcome results are very high with 60-100% of young people moving into paid positions.

12/06/2026

What a night to remember!

We are incredibly proud of our graduates and all they have achieved this year. Last night's graduation was a celebration of hard work, determination, resilience, and tremendous personal growth.

The future is bright 🌟 Some graduates have already secured employment, others are awaiting interview outcomes, and many have exciting opportunities ahead. Whatever their next step, they leave with valuable skills, confidence, and workplace experience.

A huge thank you to our partnerships of the The City of Edinburgh Council, Virgin Hotels Edinburgh, and NHS Lothian, as well as the Kimpton Charlotte Square Hotel. Along with all managers, buddies, colleagues, and families who have supported our interns throughout their journey.

Congratulations, Class of 2026. We couldn't be prouder! 🎉

06/06/2026

Where's Jamie?...

If you've ever played Where's Wally? you'll know the challenge is spotting someone who's always in the middle of the action. That's Jamie, as Operative Assistant.

Described by his manager as having "hit the ground running", Jamie is a motivated, conscientious individual who learns quickly and gets straight into the work with his team setting up varied event layouts, etc. Whether it's maintenance tasks, accuracy in the fine details of practical operative work or supporting his team, he's always keen to get involved and give 110% in all three of his internships. At Virgin hotel, Atec24 and the Assembly rooms.

Reliable, hardworking and a true team player throughout. Jamie is now looking for opportunities in maintenance, facilities, operative and other hands-on roles.

🔍Where's Jamie?

27/05/2026

A day in the life of Steven at Saughton Gardens...

Steven is doing an amazing job in his gardening internship. Building confidence, learning how to work flexibly within a team and developing valuable workplace skills in his 3rd internship.

From grounds work and lawn care to supporting with a variety of gardening tasks, Steven approaches each day with a positive attitude and an enthusiasm to learn.

You could say he’s really helping his future career blossom!

Watching his confidence continue to grow has been fantastic, and we are so proud of how far he has come.

Steven is now beginning to look towards entry-level gardening and groundskeeping employment opportunities.

Instagram friends — mention below employment opportunities that may suit Steven, we’d love to hear from you through comments or messages...

22/05/2026

Internship Rotation 3 = interview prep mode

Every week our interns write up their STAR examples using their “Wins of the week”, to help them recognise their progress and preparing for interviews.

Situation. Task. Action. Result ⭐

Each week involves lots of pair discussions, sharing successes and building confidence together along the way.

For both NHS and CEC/VH groups, interviews are on the horizon. Our interns are working hard practising how to talk about their skills, experiences and achievements. Their progress has been amazing to see.

More successes to see soon too!

18/05/2026

Celebrating Lucy’s 21st birthday together last Friday 🎂

Chocolate cake, UNO battles and lots of laughs. A reminder that Project SEARCH is also about building friendships, confidence and making memories together.

At the same time, our interns are working incredibly hard in their third internships. Applying for jobs, practising for interviews and preparing for paid employment. Applying to jobs in , , to etc.

Taking exciting steps towards their futures and we’re so proud of how far they’ve come.

Instagram friends — tell us in the comments 👇
Which Edinburgh based companies/workplaces have you seen doing a great job supporting autistic and disabled young people into employment?

# recruitment

15/05/2026

SUCCESS - Congratulations to Diego! 🎉

The whole Project SEARCH team are incredibly proud to celebrate Diego securing an administration role with The City of Edinburgh Council.

From the very beginning, Diego has always pushed himself to step outside of his comfort zone and challenge himself to grow. Through hard work, determination and a real commitment to his own personal and professional development, we’ve seen his confidence flourish over the course of the programme.

Diego is articulate, thoughtful and always willing to learn. Whether developing workplace skills, building professional relationships or taking on new challenges, through every opportunity he learnt how to approach challenges with maturity and positivity.

Reflecting on his journey, Diego shared: “Project SEARCH shows there’s always a way to improve our careers and look forward.”

Diego’s outlook, confidence and aspirations have grown throughout his internships through Edinburgh Project SEARCH.

His success is a brilliant example of what DFN Project SEARCH is all about, helping young people gain real workplace experience, build transferable skills and move into employment with confidence.

We are so excited to see where this next chapter takes you.

13/05/2026

Olek, is doing a fantastic job in his Stores Operative internship with NHS Lothian 👏

He is extremely hard-working, enthusiastic and always brings great energy to the team. Olek gets on really well with his colleagues and is becoming a well-loved member of the workplace because of his positive attitude and great communication skills.

Through his internship placement, Olek is learning important workplace skills of how to communicate professionally, behave respectfully on hospital wards and work as part of a busy team.

We’re so proud of the progress he’s making and how much his confidence continues to grow.

27/04/2026

📢 Tomorrow, Tuesday 28th April at 12 pm is the last day to get your applications in for our 2026/27 cohort!

Make sure you get your applications in now to avoid disappointment!

Email us at [email protected] if you are interested in learning a bit more about our support.

You can apply on our website https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/xfp/form/371

24/04/2026

Meet the team 👋

This week we attended the DFN Project Search HQ national conference, taking the opportunity to learn more, reflect and share what works best, so we can continue to support our interns in the most effective way possible.

From left to right:
Kenny (Tutor), Noel (Job Coach), Jodi (Job Coach), Eve (Tutor), Jamie (Job Coach), and Trish (Job Coach).

Everything we do is about supporting our interns to grow in confidence, build skills, become job ready and move into employment that suits them.

Tuesday 28th April at 12 pm is the last day to get your applications in for our 2026/27 cohort!

Make sure you get your applications in now to avoid disappointment!

Email us at [email protected] if you are interested in learning a bit more about our support.

You can apply on our website https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/xfp/form/371

15/04/2026

📢 Interested in applying? Have a disability? Live in Edinburgh or the Lothians? Want to get a job?

If so, Edinburgh Project SEARCH could be for you!!

Email us at [email protected] if you are interested in learning a bit more about our support.

Applications for our next cohort are open now. Follow this link to apply
https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/xfp/form/371

Address

Waverley Court, 4 East Market Street
Edinburgh
EH88BG

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm

Website

http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/projectsearch, https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/xfp/form/371

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