AQW 43876/22-27 Written question to the Minister of Health
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.
Asked by Sian Mulholland MLA on 14 April 2026
- Answered
- Written
- After due date
- Tabled
- 14 April 2026
- Answer due by
- 29 April 2026
- Answered
- 8 May 202624 days after tabling
- Department
- Department of Health
- Priority question
- No
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.