Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has issued an urgent appeal for foster carers to provide short breaks for 109 children and young people with disabilities who are currently waiting for placements across Northern Ireland. The regional campaign, launched today, represents the first coordinated effort to recruit short breaks carers under a unified Health and Social Care brand, supported by £13.1 million in dedicated funding.
Short breaks offer overnight care in a family setting for children with physical and intellectual disabilities, autism and complex health needs, giving their families essential respite while providing the children with positive new experiences and opportunities to build confidence.
First Regional Drive for Disability Short Breaks
The initiative follows a Ministerial investment announced last year that has allowed all five Health and Social Care (HSC) Trusts to expand existing services or develop new short breaks fostering provision for the first time. The campaign specifically targets the 109 children aged from birth to 17 who are currently waiting to be matched with a suitable carer.
Launching the campaign, Health Minister Mike Nesbitt said:
“This is the first time short breaks for Children with Disabilities has been promoted on a regional basis and included in regional HSC branding and I am delighted that we have been able to achieve this through the additional investment I approved for Children with Disabilities services
While provision remains comparatively small, short breaks fostering plays a critical role within the wider continuum of fostering and family support. The launch of the regional short breaks fostering campaign is an important step in helping to raise awareness and attract new carers.”
Eimear Hanna, Head of Service for HSC NI Foster Care, welcomed the expansion:
“We are delighted to launch the regional Short Breaks service for children with disabilities across all five HSC Trust areas in Northern Ireland
Short Breaks foster carers play a vital role in supporting families by welcoming children with disabilities into their homes, providing parents and carers with essential opportunities to rest and recharge
Regular contact with a Short Breaks foster carer can be an incredibly enjoyable and positive experience for a child – offering them opportunities to have fun, build their confidence and make new friends while offering families a crucial source of support to help them continue to care for their child”
Who Can Become a Short Breaks Carer?
The service is seeking people from all walks of life who can commit to providing a minimum of one or two overnight stays per month, though many carers choose to offer more frequent support. According to HSC NI Foster Care, carers can be:
- Married, cohabiting couples or single people
- From any religious, cultural, social or economic background
- With or without existing children
- Aged over 21 with no upper age limit, provided they are healthy and energetic
- Heterosexual or LGBTQI+
- Homeowners or renters (must have a spare bedroom)
- No specific qualifications or experience required
Carers receive an allowance covering the cost of care, comprehensive training, and 24/7 support from dedicated social workers. The role is designed to be flexible enough to accommodate existing work and family commitments.
How to Get Involved
Prospective carers can call 0800 0720 137 or visit the HSC NI Foster Care website for more information. Online information events are scheduled for Thursday 4 June (7:30pm–8:30pm) and Tuesday 16 June (1:00pm–1:30pm), with joining details available on the website.
Context and Challenges
The appeal comes amid record pressures on Northern Ireland’s care system. Statistics published in October 2025 showed that 4,188 children were in care as of March 2025—the highest number recorded since the Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 was introduced. While 84% of looked-after children are placed with foster families, the system faces retention challenges, with 336 foster carers de-registering during the 2024/25 year.
The £13.1 million investment was first announced in October 2024 as part of plans to improve services for children with disabilities, including expanding short breaks capacity and community-based family support. At the time, Minister Nesbitt acknowledged that demand had “outstripped supply” with a substantial number of families on waiting lists, and warned that Trusts had been forced to repurpose short breaks units for longer-term residential placements due to shortfalls.
Questions for Consideration
- With 109 children currently waiting and recruitment challenges across the sector, what specific targets has the Department set for reducing this waiting list, and by when?
- Given that 336 carers left the system last year, what retention measures are being implemented alongside recruitment to ensure new carers are supported for the long term?
- How will the £13.1 million investment be distributed across the five Trusts to ensure equitable access for families in both rural and urban areas?
- What safeguards are in place to ensure short breaks placements provide consistent, high-quality care for children with complex medical and behavioural needs?
- How will the Department evaluate whether this regional approach delivers better outcomes than the previous fragmented provision?
The regional approach to short breaks represents a significant shift toward standardising disability support across Northern Ireland. For the 109 children currently waiting, and their families facing daily caring responsibilities without respite, the success of this campaign could prove life-changing.