A North Kerry family is appealing for urgent support after their 18-year-old son, who has severe autism and an intellectual disability, is due to leave school at the end of June without a confirmed adult day service placement.
Adam Godley, from Tarbert, pictured below at his Nano Nagle Special School graduation on 19 June 2026. Adam attended Nano Nagle Special School from the ages of 9 to 12 on a full-time basis. Following Covid-19 and a series of challenges, he was unable to return for several years. The family was required to register him for homeschooling. Despite repeated requests to return, no place was available until November 2024. At that time, Adam began attending three mornings per week (9am to 1pm). Although there were commitments to extend this to full days and a full school week, this did not happen despite ongoing advocacy by the family with the school, social workers, Tusla, and the Department of Education. Despite years of engagement with disability services regarding his transition to adulthood, no suitable local placement has yet been secured.
Adam requires significant support in all aspects of daily life and needs two-to-one (2:1) staffing support for travel and community activities. The only option discussed to date is a proposed placement in Killorglin, which remains unconfirmed and may not become available until late 2026 or 2027. This placement would involve a daily round trip of approximately 140 kilometres from Tarbert, with no transport provision currently in place. Given current fuel costs, the family has concerns about the affordability and practicality of this option. As a result, Adam faces the prospect of finishing school with no structured daytime service and very limited opportunities for social interaction or community participation.
“Adam depends on routine, structure and familiar supports,” said his parents, Mary and Brian Godley. “Without a suitable service, he will spend most of his time at home. We are deeply concerned about the impact this will have on his wellbeing, development and quality of life.”
Recent Developments…HSE Disability Services has recently confirmed a new Manager in North Kerry, Breda Collins. The family has been informed that Adam’s current Outreach arrangements represent the delivery of his allocated 15 hours of support per week. However, the family continues to seek clarification regarding how this allocation is calculated and delivered in practice. The family has also been advised that Ms Collins is not currently in a position to commence Adam’s Emergency Respite, which was approved in August 2025 following a formal crisis assessment.
Adam currently attends Outreach support on Tuesday and Thursday mornings and returns home at approximately 2pm. Following queries from the family regarding his support allocation, the only additional support currently proposed would extend his return time to 3pm on those two days. The family continues to seek clarification regarding how the full allocation is being delivered in practice.
A meeting has been requested for 6 July 2026, which the family will find challenging to attend due to the current lack of supports.
The Outreach provider has also requested a further meeting in Tralee. The family continues to seek clarity on the full delivery of Adam’s allocated Outreach hours. The family has been seeking additional supports for many years. Outreach services were first requested around 2015 but were interrupted by Covid-19. They were reapplied for in 2022/2023 and partially provided from March 2026.
Adult respite services have been sought since Adam turned 18 in September 2025. Although the family was formally assessed as in crisis in summer 2025 and approved for emergency respite, this has not yet been delivered. Residential care applications submitted in 2025 have only recently progressed.
Without appropriate supports from 26 June, Adam will spend most of his days at home. He has been assessed as requiring 2:1 24/7 care, which the family are expected to provide without additional assistance over the summer and beyond. Adam turns 19 in September 2026. Adam has very limited social opportunities. The period without a school placement lasted more than four years and coincided with his father’s serious illness and repeated hospitalisations, adding significant strain to the family.
Mary and Brian Godley have provided intensive, round-the-clock care for Adam throughout his life. The demands of caring have taken a significant toll on their physical and emotional wellbeing.
“We have not had a night away together, never mind a family holiday, in more than 15 years,” they said. The family has engaged with local representatives this week. Following circulation of a draft of this release, responses have been received from Michael Healy-Rae and Danny Healy-Rae, who indicated they would follow up (noting this may take some weeks). Norma Foley has requested Adam’s date of birth to make representations.
The family is calling for:
• An urgent confirmed adult day service placement close to home.
• Immediate interim supports from the end of June, including enhanced home support, outreach services, respite and community-based activities.
• Delivery of previously approved respite and outreach supports.
• Fair and practical allocation of supports that works for families in rural areas.
• Greater transparency regarding planning and timelines for young adults transitioning
from school to adult disability services.
“Adam deserves the opportunity to live with dignity, participate in his community and have the same chance to fulfil his potential as any other young adult,” said his parents.
Consent and Communication…Adam communicates using visual supports, including Yes/No communication aids. The decision to share his story publicly was discussed with him using his preferred methods. Adam has indicated that he wishes his situation and need for supports to be highlighted, in accordance with the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 (as amended).
