Together for Families
What is Together for Families?
We are pleased to announce that the Together for Families Enhanced Family Support Service is now open for applications.
The closing date for submission of applications is 5pm on Friday 30 October 2026
The Application form and Guidance can be found here Enhanced Family Support Services Resources Application form and Guidance | Department of Health.
Please make sure that you read the guidance when you are completing the application form as it contains relevant information on Together for Families, the Enhanced Family Support Service and applicant expectations.
Please note that there is a separate Budget Template which needs to be completed and returned alongside the application form. Section 4 in the application form also outlines additional information requirements for submission along with the application form.
Applicants are advised to consider all the information on the Together for Families webpage on the Department of Health website, including the webinar recordings and presentation and the presentations that have been provided by each of the 5 HSCTs and the FAQ document.
The application form is in word format and can be downloaded for completion. Applications must be submitted in a typed format. Word counts for each question are included in the application form. Once you have completed your application, please submit it and any accompanying attachments to togetherforfamilies@health-ni.gov.uk and make sure you title your email ‘COMPLETED APPLICATION FOR ENHANCED FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES’
In the interest of fairness, while we can respond to general enquiries about applicant expectations and the process, we will not be able to advise on any queries specifically related to individual applications. Responses to relevant general enquiries will be included in the FAQ This document will be updated as enquiries are received. We would advise that you refer to this document during the application period.
An Enhanced Family Support Service Contact sheet can be found here Enhanced Family Support Service Contact Form – Fill in form(external link opens in a new window / tab)(external link opens in a new window / tab): organisation name; key contact details; type of support/service provided; interest in being a lead and/or delivery partner; and HSCT area of interest. This will be used to help prospective applicants identify potential partners for each bid.
Together for Families is a partnership model that will transform how children, young people and families are supported across Northern Ireland. It shifts the current system from reactive, high-cost statutory intervention to earlier, community-based support so that families can access the right help at the right time, closer to home.
Together for Families was developed under the Children’s Social Care Services Reform Programme and informed by learning from a significant Northern Ireland Lottery programme delivered between 2014 and 2021 – Reaching Out – Supporting Families and the Independent Review of Children’s Social Care Services led by Professor Ray Jones which reported in June 2023.
Why it matters
Across Northern Ireland, families are facing increasing pressures – including poverty, mental health challenges and rising demand on services. Too often, support only arrives once problems have escalated to crisis.
At March 2025
- There were 4,188 children in care with admissions to care up by 24% since 2020/21
- There were 2,283 children on the Child Protection Register.
- It is projected that the looked after population will grow by a further 18% (around 750 children) by 2029.
Together for Families responds by strengthening early, joined-up support that:
- Prevents issues escalating for children and families.
- Reduces pressure on crisis services
- Improves long-term outcomes for children and young people
- Delivers better value for the public purse
What’s changing?
- £29.2 million of public-sector transformation funding working alongside £30 million of The National Lottery Community Fund investment.
- Stronger collaboration across services, reducing fragmentation and duplication
- A whole-family approach, recognising that children’s wellbeing is linked to the wellbeing of parents and carers
- Learning and culture change to support long-term system transformation
What the Programme delivers
- Strengthened Family Support Hubs – additional resource to the 29 Family Support Hubs that facilitate access to early support for families across Northern Ireland. The additional resource will enable Hubs to provide direct support to families.
- New Enhanced Family Support Service – funding from the National Lottery Community Fund will support the delivery of 15 Enhanced Family Support Projects (3 in each HSC Trust area). These projects, delivered in partnership with the VCSE, will provide early support to families whose needs go beyond what Family Support Hubs can offer but who fall below the threshold for statutory intervention.
- Intensive family support – support for families where children, who are already known to children’s social care services, are at risk of being taken into care or to support the safe return home of children already in care by making existing services available to more families and by implementing a regionally agreed model.
- Family Support Services List – to support all parts of the service model by creating a menu of services operating across the full range of family need available to families who are referred to a multi-agency panel operating in each HSC Trust.
- A model that evolves to meet need - Together for Families will be supported by a robust evaluation framework which will be put in place in the early stage of the Programme. The collection and analysis of data and a focus on the delivery of improved outcomes for children and families will be central to the Programme.
How can I find out more?
Arrangements are being put in place now to support delivery of Together for Families. You can check out 'latest news' for further information and if you would like to be added to the distribution list for the Together for Families updates you can email togetherforfamilies@health-ni.gov.uk
Latest News and Resources
Multi-million investment launched to transform family support across Northern Ireland
Our Pact logo
Together for Families Enhanced Family Support Services resources
Enhanced family support services information webinar
Enhanced Family Support Services Information Webinar FAQs
Enhanced Family Support Services Information Webinar Presentation Slides
Together for Families Webinars and Information Sessions
Pictured are L-R Fionnuala Walsh, Head of Funding UK Portfolio, The National Lottery Community Fund, Jacinta Linden, Co-Director of Together for Families, Health Minister Mike Nesbitt, Paul Sweeney, Chair of the Northern Ireland Committee, The National Lottery Community Fund and Peter Toogood, Deputy Secretary, Social Care and Public Health Policy Group. Together for Families: working collaboratively to deliver results