Northern Ireland

Adoption and Children Bill passes in Northern Ireland

The Adoption and Children Bill was passed in the Northern Ireland Assembly yesterday with full cross-party support. We warmly welcome the passing of the Adoption and Children Bill which represents a huge step forward for children’s social care, as the first piece of legislation focussed on the fostering system since the 1995 Children Order.   

By Sadie Constable on March,16th 2022

Additional funding for foster care in Northern Ireland

Today the Department of Health in Northern Ireland announced additional funding of almost £1 million to support foster carers and supported lodging hosts.

The funding package aims to help foster carers to continue the vital work they are doing, by providing additional funding of £25 per week for each child or young person being looked after between January 2022 and March 2022.

By karina a on March,7th 2022

Career workshops for young people in foster care

We are running a series of exciting interactive workshops for young people aged 14-17 which will give them a taster of different employment options – from animation and hair & beauty to football and outdoor pursuits.

Wed, 01/26/2022 - 10:16 By Emma McAleer on January,26th 2022

Christmas gift appeal with corporate partner in Northern Ireland

For this festive season, Arthur Cox, our corporate partner in Northern Ireland, has come up with something special. The leading law firm will be giving bespoke gifts to children who are taking part in our Step up Step Down programme, where foster carers support families on the periphery of care to help the children remain within their family home.

By karina a on March,8th 2021

Additional Funding for Foster Carers in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland’s Health Minister, Robin Swann, on Friday, announced additional funding of £754,800 for all foster carers and approved kinship carers in Northern Ireland.

Details of the additional funding was shared in a thank you letter to foster carers from Minister Swann, and equates to an extra 20 per cent of the weekly food and household elements of the allowance foster carers in Northern Ireland receive for each child they care for, for a limited period. 

By DavidEggboro on February,24th 2021

Fostering Attainment and Achievement

Fostering Attainment and Achievement is one of a range of innovative programmes that The Fostering Network runs to improve foster care and outcomes for fostered young people.

For more information about Fostering Attainment and Achievement telephone The Fostering Network in Northern Ireland on 028 9070 5056, email our Northern Ireland office.  

Thu, 02/14/2019 - 09:27 By admin on February,14th 2019

Criminal record checks in Northern Ireland

Organisations that want to request AccessNI disclosure on candidates must either become a registered body (this is only suitable for large organisations) or use an umbrella body that is registered with AccessNI. You can see a full list of umbrella bodies on the Department of Justice for Northern Ireland website

Depending on the nature of the work, an employer may ask for a basic, standard or an enhanced disclosure.

Mon, 01/15/2018 - 20:36 By Daniel.Sinclairtfn on January,15th 2018