Action for Children Northern Ireland

Getting the best start -  Our 5 Sure Start Centres are great places for parents to meet up, get advice and find support. These are warm and welcoming giving children under 4 the best start in life, providing Family support, Play & learning and Health advice.

Family Support Hubs bring organisations together to make it easier for families to get help. The Hubs help families to find support early, before problems get worse. They give advice about the services on offer in the local area, and match families’ needs to what’s available.

Turning young lives around, growing up is full of challenges. We’re here for every YP who needs us, to deal with traumatic experiences, have healthy relationships, & obtain skills they need as adults.

Early Intervention Support for families and children from birth to 17years, we help them deal with problems that are preventing children from fulfilling their potential, by providing emotional support and managing problems at school/home. We promote positive parenting techniques.

Choices Family Support helps young people 10 to 17years and their families. We step in early to support YP who are at risk of going into care, becoming homeless or engaging in antisocial or offending behaviour. We also help them to build healthy, happy minds.

Safe & loving fostering homes – We find family homes for children and young people from all sorts of different backgrounds. Our foster families offer warmth, love and stability. We want every child to feel secure, happy and cared for. This means encouraging children to play, learn and try new things. Every child and young person is supported by our fostercarers until they’re ready to live by themselves.

Help for young carers : Young carers do an amazing job, looking after loved ones who are ill or who need extra help. They do this at the same time as coping with the everyday pressures of growing up.  We raise awareness and help spot young carers, ensuring they get help at home. We organise fun activities that give them a break and the chance to enjoy being young.

Young Adult Carers: Turning 18 does not reduce young carers role, we continue our support from 18 to 25. Like our Young Carers, we give them a break and run activities and groups.

Tackling homelessness : There are lots of reasons why a YP might become homeless. The YP we work with aren’t always on the streets, they are moving between friends’ sofas or floors. Homelessness is increasing but our services make a real difference. Every young person gets housing and social care support that works for them. We also help YP to develop the practical, emotional and relationship skills they need as adults.

Floating Support: We run a Floating Support Service in Omagh and Enniskillen, which helps 16 to 24-years to find a safe place to live. The service also helps them to find a job or training course, and look after their health.

Supported Lodgings: The Supported Lodgings Service finds family homes for 16 to 24-year when they leave care.

Supported Accommodation: In Enniskillen, we provide temporary accommodation at Rossorry Grove. This gives YP a safe place to live until they find somewhere of their own.

The Blues Programme - Helping to build healthy, happy minds: The Blues Programme helps teenagers with their mental health. Blues runs for 6-weeks in schools. It’s based on evidence which shows how specific techniques can reduce low mood, depression and anxiety. The programme also helps YP to build resilience and cope with the pressures of everyday life.