Family Support NI

Pre-School provision - 12.5 or 22.5 hours per week? Check how many hours your chosen providers will be offering | Employers for Childcare Not all pre-school providers in Northern Ireland are able to offer the same number of hours, here's why.

World mental Health Day: 10th October 2026: Help and support are closer than you think! Visit http://FamilySupportNI.gov.uk to find information for services and support available in your local area

The Northern Ireland Childcare Subsidy Scheme (NICSS) is helping eligible working families reduce the cost of childcare by 15%, up to a maximum of £203 per child per month.

Since its launch in September 2024, almost 27,500 children from more than 20,000 households have benefited from the scheme, delivering over £26 million in savings to families across Northern Ireland.

A new awareness campaign has recently launched to ensure that more parents know about the support available and can check whether they are eligible. FSNI encourages members to share information about NICSS with parents and carers who may benefit.

Find out more and check eligibility at: https://www.early-years.org/nicss

Don't miss out on support that could help make childcare more affordable for working families.

One Website, One Team One Focus

Dear Colleague,

We are delighted to share our new Family Support NI video showcasing the work we do to support parents, practitioners and professionals across NI.

The video offers a snapshot of who we are, what we do and the difference our work makes.

You can watch it here ⏯️ bit.ly/4z7wDzT

I hope you enjoy watching the video, and we would really appreciate you sharing it across your networks.

If you would like to get in contact with the FSNI team please do so by emailing: [email protected]

Lisburn City Library is continuing its series of free workshops offering guidance and support for parents and carers of children with special educational needs. Workshops are taking place in October see below for more information.

Join us in Lisburn City for a free workshop delivered by Specially Connected offering practical advice and support for parents and carers, focusing on understanding neurodivergent conditions, behaviour, communication and practical strategies
The workshop has been funded by the Department of Education through the RAISE programme.
📆 Wednesday 7 October
⏰ 9:30am - 11:00am

Family Support NI Specially Connected

The Solihull Approach is an early intervention model that focuses on the importance of infant brain development and its relevance to infant mental health and child development.
The approach provides practitioners with:
• a robust understanding based on neuroscience of the importance of the first three years and how to support infants/children to have the best start in life
• a theoretical framework for practitioners to reframe how to approach their work with children and families

For more information and bookingℹ️ https://bit.ly/3TgQehx

SENAC will be in Lisburn City Library on Tuesday 15 September for an Introduction to the Special Educational Needs System workshop! 😄

Parents and carers can learned about the support they can receive for their child in school including information of Statements of SEN, Education Plans and more.

Everyone welcome! 🙌
The workshop has been funded by the Department of Education through the RAISE programme.
Special Educational Needs Advice Centre Family Support NI Department of Education NI

🎒 Heading back to school?

Our FREE Back to School Resource Pack is packed with activities, wellbeing support, lunchbox ideas, transition tips and more to help children and young people feel ready for the new school year.

🔗 https://cypsp.hscni.net/children-young-peoples-resource-pack-back-to-school-edition/

Need help finding ? Find details of all REGISTERED Childcare Providers and information about Financial Support for Working Parents on FamilySupportNI.gov.uk : bit.ly/3YrrLVd

Join our FREE online information session on financial support available to working parents.

🟣 25 August, 12-1pm
🟣 26 August, 7-8pm

Delivered by Employers For Childcare, the session is suitable for both parents and childcare providers.

Find out about support available through:
* Universal Credit
* Tax Credits
* Childcare Vouchers
* Tax-Free Childcare
* Northern Ireland Childcare Subsidy Scheme (NICSS).

Book online at https://PBFinancialSupport0826.eventbrite.co.uk