Last updated: 30 May 2026
Belfast's children's residential services are commissioned through the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, which is part of Northern Ireland's five-trust HSC delivery model. Residential childcare is regulated by the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA) under NI statutory frameworks that differ from those in England, Scotland and Wales. The provider base is small and consolidated, with close working relationships between trust-commissioned and voluntary-sector services.
Belfast HSC employers expect practitioners to work within NI-specific statutory frameworks, NISCC registration, and the RQIA regulatory context. Experience of trust-commissioned delivery is a strong asset.
Ofsted-registered children's homes: a comparatively small RQIA-registered residential childcare sector of around 50 services
Sector vacancy rate: 19%
HSC Trusts are the primary commissioners, and the private-sector market is smaller and more consolidated than in England or Scotland
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