09/06/2025
Health Minister Launches Consultation On New Fostering Standards
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has launched a 13-week public consultation on the draft Northern Ireland Fostering Services Minimum Standards.
These new standards, alongside the forthcoming Foster Placement and Fostering Agencies Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2025, will establish the assessment framework for fostering services provided by Health and Social Care Trusts and independent fostering agencies.
The consultation comes at a critical time for Northern Ireland's care system. There are currently over 4,000 children in care, a significant 40% increase over the past decade, with the majority of these children living with foster parents.
Minister Nesbitt emphasised the vital role of foster carers, stating: "The majority of children who are in care are cared for by foster carers, who provide loving, caring, warm and stable family environments."
Recognising the escalating demand, the Minister added: "As the number of children in care continues to increase, we will need more foster carers. It is intended that the draft Minimum Standards will be used by fostering service providers to focus on securing positive welfare, health, and education experiences for children, and reducing risks to their welfare and safety."
He further explained that the new standards will ensure that all fostering service providers and staff aim to provide the best possible care for children under their responsibility and that foster parents receive proper support.
The Minister urged all relevant stakeholders and the public to participate in the consultation process. "I would encourage you to respond to the consultation so that the standards continue to reflect collaboration with all relevant stakeholders to ensure the best possible quality of fostering services in Northern Ireland," he said.
The consultation is open until September 7, 2025, providing an opportunity for foster carers, care experienced individuals, organisations, and the wider public to contribute to shaping the future of fostering services in the region. The draft Minimum Standards have been developed following extensive consultation, including input from a working group comprising key stakeholders and foster parents themselves.
These new standards, alongside the forthcoming Foster Placement and Fostering Agencies Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2025, will establish the assessment framework for fostering services provided by Health and Social Care Trusts and independent fostering agencies.
The consultation comes at a critical time for Northern Ireland's care system. There are currently over 4,000 children in care, a significant 40% increase over the past decade, with the majority of these children living with foster parents.
Minister Nesbitt emphasised the vital role of foster carers, stating: "The majority of children who are in care are cared for by foster carers, who provide loving, caring, warm and stable family environments."
He further explained that the new standards will ensure that all fostering service providers and staff aim to provide the best possible care for children under their responsibility and that foster parents receive proper support.
The Minister urged all relevant stakeholders and the public to participate in the consultation process. "I would encourage you to respond to the consultation so that the standards continue to reflect collaboration with all relevant stakeholders to ensure the best possible quality of fostering services in Northern Ireland," he said.
The consultation is open until September 7, 2025, providing an opportunity for foster carers, care experienced individuals, organisations, and the wider public to contribute to shaping the future of fostering services in the region. The draft Minimum Standards have been developed following extensive consultation, including input from a working group comprising key stakeholders and foster parents themselves.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.