Robin Swann supports appeal to find young refugees homes in Northern Ireland
It comes as HSCNI Foster Care wants more carers and hosts who can provide care and support to young people to come forward
An appeal to find unsupervised young refugees arriving in Northern Ireland a home has got the backing of the Health Minister.
HSCNI Foster Care is seeking more foster carers and supported lodgings hosts who can provide care and support to young refugees.
It comes after a mammoth increase in the number of young refugees who are arriving in to the country.
In the past year, more than 60 young refugees were taken in to care which is the highest number on record and it is expected that this will rise further.
Health Minister Robin Swann said: “We can only imagine how traumatic it is for children and young people who arrive in Northern Ireland with no family. It is vital that we increase the numbers of foster carers and supported lodgings hosts available so that we can ensure that the young people in these circumstances get the stability and care they deserve.
“There is no such thing as a typical carer - foster carers and supported lodgings hosts come from all walks of life. We would encourage anyone who thinks they can open their home to a child or young person to come forward and register their interest.”
Una Carragher, Principal social worker, HSC NI Foster Care said she would "particularly welcome families from the numerous ethnic minority communities" who wish to become foster carers.
"We want to assure anyone who comes forward to care for these young people that we will give them full training and support," she said.
"We would particularly welcome families from the numerous ethnic minority communities across Northern Ireland. Please get in touch with us if you have any questions or queries. We will be delighted to have a chat with you.”