Over 3,500 children in care as numbers soar during pandemic

Over 3,500 children are currently in care homes in Northern Ireland, with figures increasing during the Covid pandemic.

That's a near 10% rise compared to the same time last year.

The Health and Social Care Northern Ireland Adoption and Foster Care service say the number of children in care has been rising year on year.

During the pandemic, the number of vulnerable children being placed in care also rose.

They are appealing to anyone who is considering becoming a foster career to contact them.

Since Covid-19 hit, the service has not been able to attend schools and spread information about the service which has resulted in a drop in people coming forward to offer homes over the past year.

Head of Service for Fostering and Adoption Eimear Hanna spoke to us about the demand and their appeal -

• foster care northern ireland