News & Events
Consultation on Key Childcare Issues
The Department of Health has launched a public consultation asking for a wide range of views on two key childcare issues.
Last Update: 24/03/2025
Northern Ireland Childcare Subsidy Scheme (NICSS)
The Northern Ireland Childcare Subsidy Scheme (NICSS) will continue into 2025/26. The NICSS subsidy cap, which is the maximum amount that can be claimed per child, has also been increased to reflect the anticipated rise in childcare fees from April 2025 while the administrative payment paid to providers delivering the scheme has also been raised.
Last Update: 19/03/2025
Healthy Start Scheme
The Healthy Start Scheme enables eligible pregnant women and families with children under the age of four who meet the qualifying criteria to claim pre-loaded Healthy Start cards that can be used to purchase milk, fruit and vegetables or infant formula milk. In addition to the pre-paid card, those entitled to the Scheme may also avail of free vitamins.
Last Update: 12/02/2025
Working Parents - Financial Assistance with Childcare Costs
Many working parents are not claiming government financial assistance with childcare costs e.g. Tax Free Childcare, Universal Credit, Working Tax Credit which will support them to remain in work. Most working families are eligible ...
Last Update: 07/02/2025
Help Us Keep Information Up-to-Date and Useful on Family Support NI
We need your help ! We are presently auditing content within our Family Support Directory of Services to ensure information remains useful and up-to date on Family Support NI Please take a few minutes to respond to our email
Last Update: 20/01/2025
Feedback on FamilySupportNI website
We are constantly looking at ways to improve information on this website. This brief survey is designed to gather your feedback
Last Update: 13/12/2024
Cancer Support Services
Family Support NI with the Department of Health and Cancer Charities Coalition hosts information about services available for people living with cancer, their families, and carers.
Last Update: 21/11/2024
Self-Service Portal for Childcare Providers
Family Support NI have created a Self Service Portal to enable Childcare Providers to update their own profiles on Family Support NI.
Last Update: 14/10/2024
We all need advice and support at different times during our lives ...
Do you know where to find contact details for various Family Support Services including statutory, voluntary and community support services ?
Last Update: 29/08/2024
New Guides To Support Adults With Sensory Disabilities
Two new guides to support adults with sensory disabilities in Northern Ireland have been launched.
Last Update: 04/07/2024
Finding Childcare
All Registered Childcare Providers are listed on Family Support NI which is the central government register of REGISTERED and APPROVED Childcare Providers throughout Northern Ireland. We provide the most up-to-date information available about childcare provision
Last Update: 11/04/2024
Childcare Providers - Have you activated your Tax-Free Childcare account ?
Over a million families in the UK are entitled to support with the cost of childcare from the government, but many are missing out because childcare providers in their area haven’t signed up to accept the various offers.
Last Update: 13/02/2024
Nurturing emotional health and wellbeing from bump to 19+ years
Public Health Northern Ireland has partnered with the Solihull Approach to offer free access to expertly designed online courses for parents, carers, grandparents teens, foster carers and childcare providers living in the region.
Last Update: 08/11/2023
A Guide to help YOU on your journey through Disability/Additional Needs
The Children and Young People’s Strategic Partnership (CYPSP), in association with parents of children with disabilities and young people with additional needs has launched a new publication titled : ‘A guide to help you on your Journey through Disability/Additional needs.’
Last Update: 08/11/2023
Family Mediation NI (FMNI)
FMNI is an independent charity offering an alternative to conflict when families separate reducing the emotional and financial cost of separation
Last Update: 08/11/2023
Family Support Hubs
A Family Support Hub is a multi-agency network of statutory, community and voluntary organisations that provide early intervention services, or work with families who need support. There are currently 29 Family Support Hubs in operation covering ALL of Northern Ireland.
Last Update: 08/11/2023
Breastfeeding Support
There are breastfeeding support groups available right across NI.
Last Update: 08/11/2023