The National Centre for Guidance in Education (NCGE) is an agency of the Department of Education and Science with responsibility to support and develop guidance in all areas of education. Supported by the EU Employment Youthstart programme and the Department of Education and Science, NCGE co-ordinated the pilot project, 'Training YOUTHREACH staff in Non-Formal Guidance Skills' which provided training for Youthreach Staff in UCC, UCD, St. Angela's College, Sligo and UL.The final report and evaluation of this project is available from NCGE. In addition, the project included research on the provision of guidance and support services for early school leavers and young people at risk. This website and database is a result of the extensive research. The database contains information on all kinds of support services for early school leavers and young people at risk in Ireland, and is intended as a networking tool for all those working with the client group.

The research report 'Reaching Out…. The Provision of Guidance and Support Services by Projects/Programmes for Early School Leavers and Young People at Risk in Ireland' is another product of this research. The report which explores success and limiting factors in working with the target group, causes of early school leaving, in addition to the provision of guidance and counselling in respondent organisations, proposes a 4-tier model of guidance and counselling provision for early school leavers and young people at risk. This report is also available from NCGE.

Please consult NCGE's website for an update on our activities in the non-formal guidance sector and other areas of education.