Life-stage guide
Leaving school & adult disability services
Treat the transition as several parallel tracks: HSE services, education/training, employment, payments, transport and decision support.
Content checked 2026-09-28. Processes can change; use the linked sources before acting.
Start adult-service planning early
HSE day-opportunity guidance says school-leaver referral should happen in advance of leaving school. Use the local HSE route rather than waiting for school to finish.
Choose the daytime goal
Adult disability day opportunities, further education/training and paid employment are not interchangeable. Build the plan around the person’s goals and support needs.
Employment
Check EmployAbility and Work and Access. Down Syndrome Ireland also has a specialist National Employment Programme for adults with Down syndrome.
Rights and decision support
Adults may use the National Advocacy Service for independent advocacy and the Decision Support Service where formal decision-support arrangements are relevant.
New in the 2026/27 school year
The NCSE-managed Transitions Support Service is rolling out to all special schools from September 2026. Ask the school how its transition-support teaching days are being used to plan further education, training, employment and adult-service routes.