A new £59.2 million programme aims to provide earlier and more coordinated support to families across Northern Ireland, including in Antrim, Ballymena, Newry, Mourne and South Armagh.

Together for Families brings together the Department of Health, The National Lottery Community Fund, Health and Social Care Trusts and the voluntary and community sector. The initiative 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. It is the largest single investment The National Lottery Community Fund has made in Northern Ireland.

The programme will strengthen 29 Family Support Hubs across Northern Ireland, including those serving Antrim, Ballymena, Newry, Mourne and South Armagh. These hubs connect families with local services and early help in their communities.

Fifteen Enhanced Family Support Services will be established, three in each of the five Health and Social Care Trust areas. These services will target families whose needs go beyond what Family Support Hubs currently offer but who do not meet the threshold for statutory social care intervention.

Additional investment will expand intensive family support for children already known to social services who are at risk of entering care, and for supporting children in care to return home safely where appropriate. A Family Support Services List will help connect families referred through multi-agency panels with appropriate services.

The programme comes as children's services face increasing pressure. There were 4,188 children in care in Northern Ireland in March 2025, and admissions to care had increased by 24% since 2020/21. The Department of Health projects the looked-after population could grow by a further 18% by 2029 without change.

Health Minister Robbie Butler said the programme was an opportunity to improve children's life chances and help families before difficulties become more serious. He encouraged organisations with experience supporting families with complex needs to apply for funding.

Applications have opened for voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations interested in delivering the new Enhanced Family Support Services. The deadline is 5pm on Friday 30 October 2026.