To ask the Minister of Health whether any assessment has been made of current social work capacity to deliver safeguarding, early intervention and family support services, including (i) current vacancy rates; (ii) caseload pressures; (iii) waiting lists; and (iv) any unmet need identified, in each Health and Social Care Trust.

I would refer the Member to the reply I gave on the 29th June 2026 in the Assembly during Question Time.

In respect to your additional queries:

The Department issued Safer and Effective Staffing in Social Work Guidance to Health and Social Care Trusts in April 2026. The guidance sets out recommended caseload ranges for social workers in Children’s Services. The Department is currently undertaking a regional “measuring the gap” exercise to establish existing social work caseload sizes and understand team compositions.

Unallocated cases across Gateway, Family Support and Children with a disability is an unmet need within Family Support services across each Health and Social Care Trust. My Department has recognised the need for further investment and service provision across family support resulting in an investment of £59.2 million to strengthen the existing network of 29 Family Support Hubs across Northern Ireland, introduce new VCSE-led enhanced family support services capable of responding to more complex family needs, enhance intensive support services in Health and Social Care Trusts and introduce a new Open List of services to ensure families can access additional help more quickly and at the right time.