AQW 43876/22-27

Ms Sian Mulholland
Alliance Party
North Antrim

Tabled Date: 14/04/2026
Answered On Date: 08/05/2026
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health to detail the number of children who are known to Health and Social Care Trusts as (i) children in need; (ii) on the Child Protection Register; and (iii) looked after children.

Answer:

The Department of Health publishes annual statistics on the number of children who are known to Health and Social Care Trusts which can be accessed via this link: Children's social care statistics for Northern Ireland 2024/25 | Department of Health.

At 31st March 2025, 22,243 children were known to Health and Social Care Trusts as children in need.

At 31st March 2025, 2,283 children were on the Child Protection Register in Northern Ireland.

At 31st March 2025, 4,188 children were in the care of the HSC Trusts (a Looked After Child).

Additionally, the Department also publishes quarterly statistics on the number of children on the Child Protection Register which can be accessed via this link: Child protection register | Department of Health.

At 31st December 2025, 2,048 children were on the Child Protection Register.