27th May 2026
On Friday 29 May we will be launching our regional ‘short breaks for children with disabilities’ recruitment campaign.
Short breaks foster carers welcome children and young people into their homes for overnight stays to have fun, build confidence, and make new friends, while giving parents and carers a vital break and opportunity to recharge their batteries.
There is an urgent need for more people to come forward and provide flexible short breaks foster care. Currently there are 109 children with disabilities across Northern Ireland waiting for this vital service.
The children/young people in need of short breaks are aged 0-17 years. They may have a physical disability, intellectual disability, autism/ADHD, or complex learning needs, and could present with behaviours that challenge.
Short breaks foster carer, Joe, looks after 14-year-old Sam two nights a month. He says: “This whole process has been so rewarding; becoming a short breaks foster carer has made me a better person with inner strength.”
Over the campaign period we will be sharing profiles of the children and young people, hearing the personal experiences of current short breaks foster carers, and highlighting the positive impact on all involved. Listen out for our radio ad and follow updates and news via our HSC NI Foster Care social media pages.
Virtual information sessions
We are also hosting two virtual information sessions where you can chat to the team, asks questions, and find out about the support and training available to prepare you for your role.
| Date: | Thursday 4 June |
| Time: | 7.30pm – 8.30pm |
| Join via MS Teams: | Meeting ID: 384 857 140 022 559
Passcode: Mn38Tg73 |
| Date: | Tuesday 16 June |
| Time: | 1.00pm – 1.30pm |
| Join via MS Teams: | Meeting ID: 398 443 091 230 221
Passcode: hd9An3qn |
No registration required, open to anyone interested in becoming a short breaks foster carer for children with disabilities across Northern Ireland.
Find out more
More information is also available on our dedicated short breaks for children with disabilities webpage.