Dublin City University’s Institute of Education has released a new report on the WALK PEER Supported Transition Programme, highlighting its impact over the past decade in supporting young people with special educational needs to transition to mainstream further education, training, and employment.Developed in 2013, the WALK PEER programme addresses gaps in career guidance and supported transition in Irish special schools. According to the Progressing Accessible Supported Transitions to Employment Longitudinal Study (PASTEL), over nine years, the programme has supported 275 students across Cavan, Cork, Dublin, Louth, and Westmeath, with nearly 30% progressing to mainstream pathways.Dr Ger Scanlon, report author and associate professor at DCU, stated that despite structural barriers, the results demonstrate a meaningful contribution to improving labour market access and inclusion for students with intellectual disabilities and/or autism. Joe Mason, CEO of WALK, emphasized the programme’s person-centered approach, providing tailored support for up to three years after school and coordinating with families, schools, education providers, and employers.The research involved senior-cycle students, their parents, and school staff across seven special schools and three mainstream post-primary schools, capturing a wide range of stakeholder experiences. The report was launched by Emer O’Shea, Head of Community Engagement at Inclusion Ireland.The full PASTEL report can be accessed here.
Source: Dublin City University
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