Multi-million investment launched to transform family support across Northern Ireland 

Date published: 14 September 2026

Together for Families brings together The National Lottery Community Fund, the Department of Health, Health and Social Care Trusts and the voluntary and community sector to make it easier for families to access practical, co-ordinated support earlier and closer to home.  
  
The initiative is supported by a £59.2 million investment, with £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 National Lottery Community Fund’s largest single investment in Northern Ireland in its history.  

At an event in Belfast formally marking the TfF launch, First Minister Michelle O’Neill said: 

“I’m really pleased to welcome Together for Families, which reflects our Programme for Government commitment to improving people’s lives and giving every child the best possible start. We know that getting help early can make a real difference to children and families, providing support when they need it most and helping prevent problems from becoming more serious.

“Backed by £29.2 million from the Executive’s Public Sector Transformation Fund, Together for Families will bring services together and make it easier for families to get support when they need it in their own communities.

“For me, this is what transformation is about, doing things differently where we can, working together to support parents through difficult times and making a real difference to the lives of children and families across our communities.”

Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said: 

“Too many children continue to face disadvantage and challenge. This new £60m project is a truly transformative way forward, and one designed to bring about life-changing interventions. 

“I want every single child in Northern Ireland to thrive, to reach their potential and to live happy and healthy lives no matter what their economic circumstance or challenges. This investment can unlock that future for so many of our young people. 

“It supports families before crisis point. It will work holistically to support and it will wrap around so many families to help them to not only survive, but to truly thrive. 

“It does this by working on the ground, but in a joined up way. It is an incredibly exciting collaboration between Government and the National Lottery Community Fund. 

“What makes this programme particularly exciting is the way it puts families at the heart of how services work together. By breaking down the barriers between organisations and joining up support in our communities, we can give children and parents the help they need, when it can make the greatest difference.”

Health Minister Robbie Butler said: 

“I commend and warmly welcome this significant investment provided by both the National Lottery Community Fund and the Public Sector Transformation Fund. 

“At a time when children’s services are under increasing pressure, this is a huge opportunity to improve the life chances of children and families across Northern Ireland, with the key aim of keeping families safely together, rather than apart. 

“Together for Families reflects a shared determination to work differently, bringing partners together across the system, both statutory and voluntary and community sector, with a clear focus on delivering better outcomes for children and families.  We are at the start of this journey, but we can, and must, deliver for the children across Northern Ireland who need this support. I am committed to doing just that.”

UK Government Minister for Northern Ireland Sarah Owen was also at the event and said:  

 "We all want more for the next generation and the first few years of a child’s life are the most important for their development and securing a bright future for every child, from every walk of life.

"This is why the UK Government is proud to have contributed £29.2 million to this fantastic project. Alongside £30 million from The National Lottery Community Fund, this is a huge investment for Northern Ireland.

"It is a fantastic example of how we can build an even stronger society and happier families in every neighbourhood.”

Northern Ireland Director of The National Lottery Community Fund, Kate Beggs said: 

“This opportunity has the potential to deliver real, meaningful change where it is needed most, transforming support for families now while strengthening the wider system for the long term. Families across Northern Ireland will be able to get the right support earlier before the challenges they face reach breaking point. 

“We know from the projects we already fund, and from years of listening to local communities, that targeted early intervention can make the greatest difference. Families want support that is compassionate, accessible and relevant to their lives.

“Community organisations are best placed and understand that, because they have built relationships over many years and are often the first place people turn when they need help.

“We are proud to be working collaboratively with the Department of Health, the Health Trusts and the voluntary and community sector to deliver a step change in family support across Northern Ireland.

“Thanks to National Lottery players, we can fund life-changing work that helps families in the here and now and creates lasting improvements for the future.” 

The launch of Together for Families comes at a time of increasing pressure for children’s services in Northern Ireland, with 4,188 children in care in March 2025 and admissions to care up by 24% since 2020/21. If nothing changes, the looked-after population is projected to grow by as much as 18% by 2029. 

Together for Families is designed to respond to these pressures by giving families access to support earlier. It will strengthen the 29 Family Support Hubs across Northern Ireland, which help families connect with local services and get early help in their communities. 

It will also introduce new Enhanced Family Support Services, three in each Health and Social Care Trust area. This will provide more targeted support for families who need help, but don't meet the threshold for statutory social care intervention.

Support provided directly by Health and Social Care Trusts to families with children at risk of coming into care, or to support the safe return of children already in care, will receive additional investment to enable more families to benefit from this support.  This Intensive Family Support Service will be delivered within a regionally agreed model.

The application process for funding to deliver one or more of the 15 Enhanced Family Support Services has also formally opened. Further details on the scheme can be read on the Department of Health’s website here. 

Minister Butler added: 

“I would encourage any voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations with extensive experience of supporting families with complex needs to consider applying for funding under this scheme, which is one of four key elements of the wider Together for Families project.”

Co Armagh parent, Clare, who also works in the voluntary and community family support sector and has an 11-year-old autistic son, said: 

“Even as a professional working in family support, I have found it difficult at times to know where to go, who to speak to, and how to get the right support joined up around my son.  

“As a parent, you are trying your best every day, but it can feel exhausting when you have to keep telling your story and finding your way through different services. 

“Families need help that is easier to access and built around real life. What gives me hope about Together for Families is the focus on support coming earlier and feeling more connected, that will make a real difference to parents like me and families across Northern Ireland.”

A new children and families charter, ‘Our Pact’, will be central to implementation of Together for Families. Also formally launched today, the charter, which was designed in partnership with children, young people, parents and carers, aims to ensure that they are given a voice and involved respectfully in decisions about their lives.