Episodes, Kirsty Matthews
From Classroom to Career: The Power of Supported Internships with Kirsty Matthews
SENDcast Episode
From Classroom to Career: The Power of Supported Internships
with Kirsty Matthews
Dale is joined by Kirsty Matthews, CEO of DFN Project SEARCH. Less than 5% of individuals with a learning disability known to their local authority secure paid employment, compared to 80% of their peers. DFN Project SEARCH aims to support over 10,000 young adults into meaningful paid employment by 2030.
“It raises everybody’s expectation about what is possible. Bit by bit, we can begin to change the whole face of how we work.”
— Kirsty Matthews
- The importance of creating structured pathways to employment.
- How supported internships build confidence and skills in a supportive environment.
- The incredible impact of seeing neurodiverse individuals thrive in the workplace.
Watch on YouTube
About the guest
Kirsty Matthews
Kirsty was appointed CEO of DFN Project SEARCH in September 2024. DFN Project SEARCH is a national charity helping young adults with a learning disability or autism make a positive transition from education into permanent full-time employment.
Her previous roles include CEO of hft (2020–2023), Managing Director of Virgin Care (2017–2020), Non-Executive Director of Salisbury Hospital NHS Foundation (2016–2017), and CEO of the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases (2008–2015).
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