Kinship carers recognised as ‘cornerstone’ of Northern Ireland’s care system in first-ever celebration week

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt with kinship carers. L-R Ruth McGuigan; Scot Hamilton; Anita Montgomery; Thomas Spence; Tracey McGuire; Brenda Slowey; Health Minister Mike Nesbitt; Kerrylee Weatherall, Interim Executive Director of Social Work.

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has paid tribute to the “compassion and commitment” of kinship foster carers as Northern Ireland marks its first dedicated Kinship Care Celebration Week, shining a spotlight on the thousands of relatives and family friends stepping in to care for vulnerable children.

The week-long initiative, supported by the Department of Health and delivered by Health & Social Care Trusts, aims to formally recognise the critical role played by kinship carers—many of whom take on the responsibility of raising children in difficult and often traumatic circumstances.

Major role in the care system

Kinship care, where a child unable to live with their parents is placed with a relative or close family friend by a Health & Social Care Trust, now represents a significant proportion of fostering arrangements across Northern Ireland.

Latest figures show that, as of March 2025, there were 2,868 foster carers registered with HSC Trusts. Of these, 1,663—equivalent to 58%—were kinship foster carers, underlining their central role within the region’s child care system.

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt described kinship care as “a specialised type of care for a child which has unique strengths” and “a fundamental cornerstone of the children’s care system in Northern Ireland.”

He said:

“Kinship foster carers open their homes and their lives to children who need safety, stability, and security. You are the relatives, the grandparents, the older siblings, the aunts and uncles, and the close family friends who step up and make a real difference to so many young people in our community.

“This week we want to say a huge thank you for all that you do. You embody the core values of compassion and commitment.”

Frontline experiences from carers

As part of the week’s events, the Minister visited Belfast Trust Kinship Foster Care offices, where he met social work staff and carers including Thomas Spence, who has been a kinship carer in the Belfast area for the past two years.

Mr Spence highlighted both the support available and the importance of recognition for carers who often work behind the scenes.

“I have had tremendous support from the Kinship care team and this week is so important as it gives kinship carers due recognition,” he said.

“Everybody’s circumstances are different and this week has been an opportunity to get our voices across and to be heard.”

Keeping children connected to their lives

Eimear Hanna, Belfast Trust Head of Service for Adoption and Fostering Services, said the initiative carries particular significance in Belfast, which has the highest number of kinship carers in Northern Ireland.

“We are so delighted to be celebrating our first ever Kinship Care week in Northern Ireland,” she said.

“As the Belfast Area has the highest number of Kinship carers across the region, this is a particularly important celebration for us. Due to families stepping up in challenging times we are able to keep our children close to their family, schools, friends, clubs and everything that is important to them—things that most of us are lucky enough to take for granted.

“We want to extend our gratitude and thanks for everything they do to support our children.”

Stability during trauma

The Department of Health said the benefits of kinship care go beyond practical support, offering emotional stability and continuity during periods of upheaval in a child’s life.

Living with someone they already know can provide comfort and consistency at a time of significant trauma, helping children to better understand and come to terms with their situation.

Events are taking place across Northern Ireland throughout the week, bringing together carers, social workers and support services to recognise contributions, share experiences, and strengthen support networks for kinship families.

The introduction of a dedicated celebration week marks a significant step in formally acknowledging the scale and importance of kinship care—an often unseen but essential pillar supporting some of the region’s most vulnerable children.

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At a glance

• Northern Ireland marks its first Kinship Care Celebration Week

• Health Minister Mike Nesbitt praised carers’ “compassion and commitment”

• 1,663 of 2,868 foster carers (58%) are kinship carers (March 2025)

• Kinship care involves relatives or family friends caring for children unable to live with parents

• Belfast has the highest number of kinship carers in the region

• Events are taking place across NI to recognise and support carers

• Carers provide stability, continuity, and emotional support during trauma