
Links to a range of useful information.
Transition planning should consider not only healthcare but also wider physical, developmental, psychosocial, mental health, educational, lifestyle, cultural and financial needs. The following links provide useful youth focused information and resources related to these additional needs.
Note: The word disability is frequently used to describe anyone with a physical or mental disability or a person impacted by long term illness. Many of the disability supports mentioned below are also available to people who have been impacted by serious or long-term illness.
General Information for Youth
Spunout
spunout.ie/
Spunout is Ireland’s youth information website created by young people, for young people. This youth focused websites provides information about education, employment, health and wellbeing, managing finances, mental health, LGBTI+, sex and relationships and more.
Digital Youth Information Chat Service
youthworkireland.ie
Available from 4pm to 8pm for to young people aged between 16 and 25, the chat service is as easy to use as WhatsApp. You can message a Youth Information Worker with any questions you have about education, employment, your rights and entitlements, social protection benefits, college grants, accommodation, and more. We can give you information, answer your questions, and provide you with a second opinion.
YouthWork Ireland
youthworkireland.ie
Youth Information Centres throughout Ireland (YICs) provide a free, confidential information service to young people on a wide range of subjects including careers, education, employment matters, rights and entitlements, leisure, sport, travel and European opportunities.
Barnardo’s Ireland
barnardos.ie
Barnardo’s teen well-being page offers information on a range of issues from school, friends and parents to depression, alcohol and drugs. The Barnardo’s website also has a useful information page with details of organisations and websites for young people.
Disability and Illness Entitlements
SPUNOUT – Entitlements for people with disabilities
spunout.ie
Youth website SPUNOUT provides a useful information page for people with disabilities. Youth aged 16 – 25 can also contact the online chat service for advice – Monday to Friday 4pm – 8pm.
Citizens Information Bureau (CIB) – Disability and Illness
citizensinformation.ie
CIB provides information about government supports and entitlements available to people with disabilities or illness. You can also contact CIB by telephone or by visiting your local Citizens Information Centre.
CIB has also prepared a useful Guide to Entitlements for people with disabilities/illness
Further Education and Employment
AHEAD
ahead.ie/
Ahead provides information for students with a disability about accessing college or further education, supports available while in college and seeking employment after college. The AHEAD website provides a wide range of information and students can also contact the AHEAD information officer with queries about disability in 3rd level education or employment.
Citizens Information Bureau Information Guide for school leavers
Information for School Leavers 2022
This useful guide provides information for youth preparing to leave school, enter education or employment and preparing for becoming more independent.
Mental Health
Text 50808
text50808.ie
50808 is a free, anonymous, 24/7 messaging service providing everything from a calming chat to immediate support. 50808 provides a safe space where you’re listened to by a trained Volunteer. You’ll message back and forth, only sharing what you feel comfortable with. By asking questions, listening to you and responding with support, they will help you sort through your feelings until you both feel you are now in a calm, safe place.
LGBTI+
BeLonG To (for LGBTI+ young people)
belongto.org
Belong To youth services is the national organisation supporting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI+) young people between 14 and 23 years in Ireland.
LGBT Ireland
lgbt.ie
LGBT Ireland provide a range of support services including LGBT helpline, transgender family support line, online chat and monthly peer support groups. They also provide information on a range of useful topics and to help you find supports in your area.
Money and Finances
SpunOut – Money
spunout.ie
Youth information service SpunOut provides excellent information for youth about managing their money, saving, dealing with financial stress and a range of other money related topics.