DFN Project SEARCH Renfrewshire Update - AM reviewed
Renfrewshire Council · 25 August 2026
Back to Economy and Regeneration Policy Board — 25 August 2026 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
Page 1
PUBLIC ___________________________________________________________________ To: Economy and Regeneration Policy Board On: 25 August 2026 ___________________________________________________________________ Report by: Chief Executive ___________________________________________________________________ Heading: DFN Project SEARCH Renfrewshire Update ___________________________________________________________________ 1. Summary 1.1 Invest in Renfrewshire, working in partnership with Glasgow Clyde College, has successfully delivered DFN Project SEARCH Renfrewshire since 2015. 1.2 DFN Project SEARCH Renfrewshire usually supports 12 interns each year, each of whom has a learning disability, autism spectrum condition or both. Interns are provided with intensive work experience, as well as academic and employability support, to move towards a job outcome. 1.3 Our job outcome rates have been consistently positive when compared with the national job achievement figures for this priority group. 1.4 This report updates on progress for 2025 / 26 and confirms continued delivery of the programme into 2026 / 27. 2. Recommendations 2.1 It is recommended that the Board: a) Note the content of this report and continuation of funding into 2026/27. 3. Background: 3.1 DFN Project SEARCH has been delivered in partnership by Invest in Renfrewshire and Glasgow Clyde College since 2015 and has, to date, supported 118 Renfrewshire residents across ten cohorts.
Page 2
PUBLIC 3.2 DFN Project SEARCH Renfrewshire is a business-led, one-year transition to employment programme for young people aged 17 – 29, who have been diagnosed with a learning disability, an autism spectrum condition or both. 3.3 Up to 12 students, who are referred to as interns, are selected each year. Interns participate for 35 hours per week, Monday to Friday - 08:30 to 15:30. They split their time between a classroom-based environment, which has been created within Renfrewshire House, and on work placement within Renfrewshire Council and with local businesses. 3.4 Each intern completes 3 different work placements or ‘rotations’ during the academic year. These are generally for 20 hours per week and 10 weeks per rotation. Collectively the rotations provide each intern with up to 600 hours of work experience. These work rotations provide interns with opportunities to gain a wide range of new and transferable skills, different aspects of occupational experience and to showcase their attributes and abilities to prospective employers. 3.5 Interns also receive lecturer support and work towards achievement of SQA qualifications and job-related certifications such as Manual Handling and Elementary First Aid at Work, which assist them whilst in placement. Our supported employment job coaches provide guidance and assistance to undertake job task requirements and with employability support such as CV writing, interview techniques and job searching. 3.6 All aspects of programme delivery allow us to agree individual employment aspirations with the interns and to support them towards securing ongoing suitable employment the end of the programme. If suitable employment has not been secured on completion of the programme, participants will continue to receive up to one year of throughcare employability support to help them progress onto employment. ___________________________________________________________________ 4 DFN Project SEARCH Renfrewshire Delivery 2025 / 26 4.1 Twelve interns started our eleventh cohort in August 2025. The interns completed work rotations across a variety of roles including catering, cleaning, waste services, clerical and administration and customer services. 4.2 All twelve interns successfully graduated in June 2026 with each achieving all college academic requirements. The graduates also successfully gained certifications in: Food Hygiene, First Aid, Manual Handling, Health and Safety at Work and Customer Care. 4.3 Eight graduates have so far successfully gained employment including seven who have gained roles within Renfrewshire Council (3 have been selected for our Modern Apprenticeship Programme, 2 within Soft FM and 2 within Neighbourhood Services). So, the programme’s job outcome rate for 2026 / 27 is currently 67%. 4.4 70 graduates (59.3%) across our ten cohorts since 2015, have progressed to a positive job outcome. Others have also progressed to other positive destinations e.g. higher level college or university places. Employment rates
Page 3
PUBLIC nationally for this client group tend to be low. So, it is important that programmes such as DFN Project SEARCH provide opportunities to achieve these positive job outcomes. ___________________________________________________________________ 5. DFN Project SEARCH Renfrewshire Delivery 2026 / 27 5.1 Delivery for 2026 / 27 has been agreed with the Renfrewshire Local Employability Partnership (RLEP). Salary for our two internal Job Coaches will be funded by Scottish Government No One Left Behind. Salary for the lecturer will be funded by Glasgow Clyde College through Scottish Funding Council contributions. Invest in Renfrewshire funding will also support other elements of programme delivery. 5.2 The recruitment process has been completed with offers having been accepted by 12 Renfrewshire residents to participate in the 2026/27 cohort. 5.3 Discussions are ongoing with both internal service managers and external businesses with the aim to agree a wide and varied range of work rotation placements, which will meet the work aspirations of this years interns. ___________________________________________________________________ 6. Future Reporting 6.1 It is proposed that a further update report(s) be provided to Board at a date(s) to be agreed. _________________________________________________________________ Implications of the Report 1. Financial – No additional finance is sought. 2. HR & Organisational Development – 2 FTE posts within Economic Development are supported to deliver this programme. 3. Community/Council Planning – None. 4. Legal – None. 5. Property/Assets – None. 6. Information Technology – None. 7. Equality & Human Rights The Recommendations contained within this report have been assessed in relation to their impact on equalities and human rights. No negative impacts on equality groups or potential for infringement of individuals’ human rights have been identified arising from the recommendations contained in the report. 8. Health & Safety – None. 9. Procurement – None
Page 4
PUBLIC 10. Risk – None. 11. Privacy Impact - None. 12. Climate Risk – Not Applicable. 13. Children’s Rights – None 14. COSLA Policy Position – Not Applicable. _________________________________________________________________ List of Background Papers Economy and Regeneration Board 27 August 2024 and 26 August 2025 ___________________________________________________________________ Author: Michael Moran, Assistant Economic Development Manager Email: michael.moran@renfrewshire.gov.uk