Abstract
This study examined families’ perspectives and lived experiences regarding career transition planning for adolescents with Down Syndrome (DS) in an underserved Sizwe community in Soweto, South Africa. Using a phenomenological design, this qualitative study employed purposive sampling to select ten families of adolescents with DS and four Community-Based Organisations (CBOs). Semi-structured telephone interviews with participants were conducted between May and June 2025. Survey data from CBOs complemented family perspectives. Thematic analysis was used to analyse data. Ethical considerations were prioritised. Four themes emerged: families demonstrated limited awareness of systematic career transition planning, relying on faith-based coping and external agents; financial constraints emerged as the primary barrier to accessing services and saving for children’s futures; families recognised children’s strengths but lacked resources to develop these into career pathways; and families perceived schools as primarily responsible for career transition planning, reflecting uncertainty about their own role. CBOs offered general support but lacked specialised career transition planning programs for families and individuals with DS. Faith-based affirmations substitute seeking practical resources to nurture and develop specific skills or creating career transition plans that would actively prepare adolescents for independence in post-school settings. Recommendations include specific national policy guidelines that promote the post-school transition of special school graduates and collaborative partnerships in career transition planning among families, schools, and CBOs. The study is limited to the perspectives of one community, which may not reflect experiences and perspectives on the subject under study in other underserved communities.