Child Protection in Northern Ireland: How the System Works
Northern Ireland delivers child protection through Health and Social Care Trusts, not councils. Here is how Gateway teams, the Safeguarding Board (SBNI), and out-of-hours social work work — and who to contact.
Overview
Northern Ireland has a distinct system. Its framework is Co-operating to Safeguard Children and Young People in Northern Ireland (2017), overseen regionally by the Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland (SBNI). Assessment of a child's needs follows the UNOCINI framework (Understanding the Needs of Children in Northern Ireland).
Crucially, child protection in NI is not delivered by local councils. It is delivered by the five Health and Social Care (HSC) Trusts — Belfast, Northern, South Eastern, Southern, and Western — each of which runs a Gateway Service team that is the front door for children's social work referrals. Outside office hours, the Regional Emergency Social Work Service (RESWS) covers the whole of Northern Ireland. The police service is the PSNI.
What this means in plain English
In short
If you live in Northern Ireland, do not look for a 'council children's services' department — child protection is handled by your Health and Social Care Trust's Gateway team. Schools follow NI safeguarding guidance rather than England's KCSIE, and out-of-hours concerns go to a single regional service.
Who is involved
- HSC Trust Gateway Service teams — the front door for a child protection referral in each of the five Trusts (Belfast, Northern, South Eastern, Southern, Western).
- The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) — 101 for non-emergencies, 999 in an emergency.
- The Regional Emergency Social Work Service (RESWS) — out-of-hours social work cover for all of Northern Ireland.
- The Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland (SBNI) — provides regional oversight and coordination.
- Schools and health services — working together under NI safeguarding guidance and the UNOCINI assessment framework.
What to expect
- 1
A referral is screened by the Gateway team, which decides whether a child and family need support or a child protection response.
- 2
Needs are assessed using the UNOCINI framework, with agencies working together under Co-operating to Safeguard Children and Young People (2017).
- 3
Most referrals lead to family support rather than formal child protection proceedings.
- 4
Out of hours, the Regional Emergency Social Work Service responds to urgent concerns.
What you can do
- Contact the Gateway Service team at the HSC Trust for the area where the child lives — contact details for all five Trusts are published on nidirect.
- Outside office hours, call the Regional Emergency Social Work Service (RESWS) free on 0800 197 9995.
- Call the PSNI on 101 (999 in an emergency) if a child is at immediate risk.
- Call the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000 if you are an adult worried about a child.
Common misconceptions
Myth: Councils run children's services in Northern Ireland, like in England.
Reality: They do not. In Northern Ireland, child protection is delivered by the five Health and Social Care Trusts through their Gateway Service teams — not by local councils.
Myth: Keeping Children Safe in Education applies in Northern Ireland.
Reality: No. Northern Ireland follows its own guidance — Co-operating to Safeguard Children and Young People (2017) — overseen by the Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland, and uses the UNOCINI assessment framework.
Related reading
External sources
Frequently Asked Questions
This is practical educational content to support families. For case-specific concerns about a child's safety, contact the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000 or your local safeguarding team.