Home > The School Completion Programme revisited.

Smyth, Emer and Hingre, Garance and Darmody, Merike (2025) The School Completion Programme revisited. Dublin: Economic and Social Research Institute.

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A review of the programme conducted by the ESRI in 2015 highlighted its value in providing flexible and needs-based supports to vulnerable children and young people. However, the review highlighted a number of challenges, including project governance, variation in the size of projects and the supports provided, and the impact of austerity-related funding decreases. In the intervening period, there have been a number of changes to the programme, including an increase in funding, the introduction of a new intake framework to refer students, a greater emphasis on evidence-based programmes (such as Decider Life Skills and Working Things Out), a roll-out of continuous professional development for staff and webinars for LMC members. There have also been considerable changes in the broader societal context, with the impact of the pandemic on wellbeing leading to marked increases in school non-attendance. This report draws on a survey of SCP coordinators, detailed case studies of six projects, and a consultation event conducted with SCP coordinators and project workers. This rich information is used to examine the operation of SCP in this changed landscape and highlight the implications for future development of the programme. 

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