Happy New Year! I'm thrilled to kick off 2026 with our first podcast episode this year! Whether you're recovering from last night's celebrations or enjoying a refreshing walk, this insightful discussion is the perfect way to start the year.

Dale is joined by Kirsty Matthews, the CEO of DFN Project Search, to discuss 'From classroom to career: The power of supported internships'.

Kirsty sheds light on the challenges faced by young people with learning disabilities in the job market. She shares a shocking statistic: less than 5% of individuals with a learning disability known to their local authority in England secure paid employment, compared to 80% of their peers. DFN Project SEARCH aims to change that, with an ambitious goal of supporting over 10,000 young adults into meaningful paid employment by 2030.

Kirsty discusses:

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.

"It raises everybody's expectation about what is possible. Bit by bit, we can begin to change the whole face of how we work and take those barriers that we were talking about out."

Kirsty Matthews

Listen to discover how enhanced career opportunities can empower young adults with learning disabilities and those on the autism spectrum to lead positive, independent, and fulfilling lives.

View all podcasts available or visit our SENDcast sessions shop!

About Kirsty Matthews

Kirsty was appointed as CEO of DFN Project SEARCH in September 2024.

DFN Project SEARCH is a national charity serving young adults who have a learning disability or are autistic, or both, to 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 Foundations (2016 – 2017)

CEO of the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases (2008 – 2015)

Director of Business Development at Nutricia UK (1996 – 2007)

Contact Kirsty

https://www.dfnprojectsearch.org/

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100067093805818

https://www.instagram.com/dfnprojectsearch

https://x.com/dfnsearch

Useful Links

DFN Project SEARCH 2024 Annual Report

CYP Now - Breaking barriers to employment

How young people can boost chances with ways out of AI-fuelled job dilemmas | The Sun

B Squared Website – www.bsquared.co.uk
Meeting with Dale to find out about B Squared - https://calendly.com/b-squared-team/overview-of-b-squared-sendcast
Email Dale – dale@bsquared.co.uk
Subscribe to the SENDcast - https://www.thesendcast.com/subscribe

The SENDcast is powered by B Squared

We have been involved with Special Educational Needs for over 25 years, helping show the small steps of progress pupils with SEND make. B Squared has worked with thousands of schools, we understand the challenges professionals working in SEND face. We wanted a way to support these hardworking professionals - which is why we launched The SENDcast! Click the button below to find out more about how B Squared can help improve assessment for pupils with SEND in your school.

#81 - Le rôle du mouvement dans la sortie de l'insomnie - Avec Victor Segard, coach sportif et d'hygiène de vie