DFN Project SEARCH is a national charity serving young adults with a learning disability and/ or who are autistic to make a positive transition from education to employment. 

Our Vision is to ensure that any young adult with a learning disability' or who are autistic, or both, can access a Supported Internship programme. Employment should be an expectation not an exception.

We offer an evidence-based, one-year Supported Internship programme that takes place entirely in the workplace, which provides continuous support for young adults predominately between 16 and 24 years old with an Education Health and Care Plan. The goal for each intern is meaningful, paid employment.

Our approach is to combine education and training in a real work setting at host employers around the country, so students can apply their skills and learning in context, ensuring that they are ready to move seamlessly from education into the workplace as skilled and effective employees. We work in partnership with employers, education providers, local authorities and supported employment organisations. When we were founded in 2019 there were 40 programmes supporting 300 interns per year, from September 2026 we will operate approximately 230 programmes at host employers nationwide, supporting more than 1,700 young people. 

Our impact is both practical and profound and our model works. Every year, on average, over 60% of young adults graduating from our programmes are offered permanent employment. This is compared to the average employment rate in England of just 4.8% of people with a learning disability, or who are autistic, or both. To date we have supported over 4,000 of our graduating interns into employment and we have an ambition to support 10,000 young people into employment by the early 2030s.  

Against this backdrop, and as we enter a new phase of development, DFN Project SEARCH seeks to appoint a Chair of Audit & Risk Committee. This is a pivotal Board-level role, responsible for establishing and leading the charity’s first dedicated Audit & Risk Committee. The postholder will shape the committee’s remit from inception, developing its terms of reference and embedding robust approaches to financial oversight, risk management, internal control and assurance. Working closely with the Chair, Trustees, Chief Executive and senior team, they will provide independent scrutiny and constructive challenge, ensuring that resources are used effectively and that governance arrangements remain proportionate, rigorous and aligned with the organisation’s ambitions for growth and impact.

The successful candidate will bring significant senior experience across finance, audit, risk or governance, alongside a strong understanding of oversight in complex organisations. They will have prior experience of contributing to, and ideally chairing, audit or risk committees, with the credibility to interpret financial and risk information and to guide Board discussion with clarity and sound judgement. Equally important are the personal qualities required to operate effectively at Board level: independence, integrity, and the ability to foster collaborative, transparent and well‑informed decision making. A commitment to the mission of DFN Project SEARCH and to high standards of governance will be essential.

Link to role brief: https://saxtonbampfylde.maglr.com/dfn-project-search-chair-of-audit-and-risk-committee 

Saxton Bampfylde Ltd is acting as an employment agency advisor to DFN Project SEARCH on this appointment. For further information about the role, including details about how to apply, please visit roles.saxbam.com using reference RBPSC. Alternatively email Belinda.beck@saxbam.com. Applications should be received by midday on Thursday 13 August 2026.