Record 4,287 children in care in Northern Ireland, new figures reveal

The number of children and young people in care in Northern Ireland has reached its highest recorded level since 1995, according to new figures published by the Department of Health.

The Children’s Social Care Statistics for Northern Ireland 2025/26 report shows that 4,287 children and young people were in care on 31 March 2026.

This represents an increase of 99 compared with the previous year, when 4,188 children were recorded as being in care.

The latest figure is the highest since the introduction of the Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995.

More than 21,000 children known to social services

The statistics reveal that 21,180 children were known to social services as children in need at the end of March 2026.

A further 1,989 children were listed on the Child Protection Register.

Neglect and physical abuse accounted for 84% of the recorded reasons for children being placed on the register.

During the reporting year, Health and Social Care Trusts received 1,374 child protection referrals involving children without an open social work case.

There were also 1,865 new registrations to the Child Protection Register and 3,010 deregistrations.

Most children in care living with foster families

The Department of Health reported that 83% of children in care were living in foster placements.

A further 7% were placed with parents, 6% were in residential care and 4% were in other placement arrangements.

Around 21% of children in care had entered the system within the previous 12 months.

However, 33% had been in care for five years or longer.

During 2025/26, there were 1,038 admissions to care and 900 discharges.

Childcare places decline

The figures also highlight a reduction in registered childcare provision.

At 31 March 2026, there were 3,025 registered individuals or facilities providing daycare for children aged 12 and under.

This represented a 5% decrease compared with the previous year.

The number of registered childcare places fell by 3% to 55,870.

Childminders continued to account for the largest proportion of registered daycare providers.

Foster carers and residential homes

Northern Ireland had 2,821 foster carers recruited through Health and Social Care Trusts, alongside 278 independent-sector foster carers.

During the reporting year, 395 fostering assessments were completed, while 329 Trust-recruited foster carers deregistered.

At 30 June 2026, Northern Ireland had 60 children’s residential homes, comprising 50 statutory and 10 independent facilities.

The Department also reported that 2,113 young people were covered by leaving-care legislation at the end of March 2026.

The annual statistics provide an overview of children’s social care services across Northern Ireland’s five Health and Social Care Trusts.

Department of Health — Children’s social care statistics

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