AQW 49546/22-27
Miss Nuala McAllister
Alliance Party
North Belfast
Tabled Date: 24/06/2026
Answered On Date: 30/07/2026
Priority Written: No
Question:
To ask the Minister of Health to detail the number of disabled children, either with a physical or learning disability, who currently reside in unregulated children's homes.
Answer:
Information provided by Health and Social Care Trusts indicates that, as at 10 July 2026, fewer than five children with a physical disability and/or a learning disability were living in accommodation that is not regulated as a children's home in Northern Ireland. The precise figure has not been provided in order to protect the identity and confidentiality of the children concerned. The Department of Health expects that all children and young people who are looked after to be accommodated in regulated care settings, wherever possible. However, in a small number of exceptional cases, alternative arrangements may be required to meet a child's assessed needs. In all such cases, the Health and Social Care Trust remains fully responsible for safeguarding and promoting the child's welfare and must ensure that appropriate risk assessment, robust care planning and management oversight arrangements are in place. The Children (NI) Order 1995 establishes a clear statutory framework requiring Health and Social Care Trusts as corporate parents to safeguard and promote the welfare of children in care, provide suitable accommodation that meets their assessed needs and ensure ongoing oversight through regular statutory visits, reviews and care planning arrangements. Accordingly, where a child is placed in accommodation that is not regulated, the HSC Trust remains fully responsible for satisfying its duties under the Order, including being able to demonstrate that the placement is suitable, in the child’s best interests and capable of safeguarding and promoting the child’s welfare.
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