£59.2m investment launched to transform family support across Northern Ireland
A new £59.2 million programme aimed at providing earlier support to children and families across Northern Ireland has been formally launched in Belfast.
The Together for Families programme will bring together health and social care services with voluntary and community organisations, with the aim of helping families before problems escalate and more intensive intervention is required.
The programme is backed by £30 million from The National Lottery Community Fund and £29.2 million from the Northern Ireland Public Sector Transformation Fund, provided by the UK Government.
What is Together for Families?
Together for Families is a Northern Ireland-wide programme designed to improve how families access support, with a particular focus on providing help earlier and coordinating services around their needs.
According to the Department of Health, the programme will build on existing family support services, including the network of Family Support Hubs operating across Northern Ireland.
How will the £59.2m be used?
The investment will be used to strengthen existing family support services and introduce new enhanced support across Northern Ireland, with different levels of help available depending on a family’s needs.
The programme will provide additional resources to Northern Ireland’s 29 Family Support Hubs, which connect families with services in their local communities. It will also establish 15 Enhanced Family Support Services, with three operating in each Health and Social Care Trust area.
These enhanced services will provide additional support for families whose needs go beyond the help available through the Family Support Hubs, but who do not meet the threshold for statutory social care intervention. Additional intensive support will also be available for families where children are at risk of entering care, or where support could help a child return home safely.
Pressure on children’s services
Figures published by the Department of Health as part of the programme launch show that 4,188 children were in care in Northern Ireland in March 2025. Admissions to care had increased by 24% since 2020/21, while the number of looked-after children is projected to rise by as much as 18% by 2029 if current trends continue.
Programme launched in Belfast
The programme was formally launched at St Comgall’s on Divis Street in Belfast on 14 September, with First Minister Michelle O’Neill, deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly, Health Minister Robbie Butler and representatives of The National Lottery Community Fund among those attending.
Health Minister Robbie Butler said the programme would focus on earlier intervention and providing families with support before difficulties reach crisis point. He said the approach was intended to help children remain safely within their families wherever possible.
Applications open for new services
Voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations can apply to deliver one or more of the 15 Enhanced Family Support Services. According to the Department of Health, applications are open until 5pm on Friday 30 October 2026.
Further information about Together for Families, including details of the programme and the application process, is available from the Department of Health.