{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"From Classroom to Career: The Power of Supported Internships with Kirsty Matthews","description":"Happy New Year! I\u2019m thrilled to kick off 2026 with our first podcast episode this year! Whether you\u2019re recovering from last night\u2019s 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 \u2018From classroom to career: The power of supported internships\u2019. 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. \u201cIt 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.\u201d 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 \u2013 2023)  Managing Director of Virgin Care (2017 \u2013 2020)  Non-Executive Director of Salisbury Hospital NHS Foundations (2016 \u2013 2017)  CEO of the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases (2008 \u2013 2015)  Director of Business Development at Nutricia UK (1996 \u2013 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 \u2013 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 \u2013 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. ","author_name":"The SENDcast","author_url":"https:\/\/www.thesendcast.com","html":"