When life makes them feel like they don’t belong, together we can show them they do.
If you live in Northern Ireland and are interested in fostering or adopting a child we're here to help.
Want to talk to someone about how you could foster or adopt?
Here, adopting is a team effort, and you can count on our dedicated community of adoptive and foster parents and staff to be by your side every step of the way. We run regular events both for people interested in fostering and adoption, and for people who’ve already adopted, because the support we offer will continue long after you welcome a child into your home.
You can find out more about our upcoming events on Eventbrite. You can also listen to our podcast if you search "Barnardo's Fostering & Adoption NI" wherever you listen to podcasts.
If you want to get in touch there are lots of ways you can reach us below. We’d love to talk to you about how you could change a childhood, and a life.
Contact our fostering and adoption team in Northern Ireland
Address
Barnardo's Fostering Northern Ireland, 230b Belmont Road, Belfast BT4 2AW
Phone
Stay in touch with us
Want to learn about fostering?
What is fostering?
Foster care provides a safe, secure and stable environment for children and young people who cannot live with their birth family. When life gets tough or unsafe at home, some children and teenagers need a caring adult to look after them until things can get better. You could be the person helping change their life for the better.
Could you be a foster carer?
There are so many things about you and your personality that will make you a great foster carer, but there are a few practical things you need too.
How we support our foster carers
To support a foster child, you need to feel supported too. With our round-the-clock helpline, expert training, financial support and incredible community of foster carers there's lots of reasons to choose to foster with us.
"There’s a family feel to fostering with Barnardo’s”
You can read and listen to them talk about what it’s like to foster when you already have birth children, the support we offer foster carers and the feelings you experience when a placement comes to an end.
Want to learn about adoption?
What is adoption?
Adoption means taking full legal and parental responsibility for a child. It is a life-long commitment supported by an adoption order, which is granted through a court and is permanent. if you have space in your home and heart you could change a childhood, and change a life, by making a child feel they belong.
Who can adopt?
We welcome people from all walks of life and backgrounds. There are so many things about you that will help make you a great adoptive parent, but there are some practical things you need too.
How we’ll support you if you're interested in adoption
We listen and respond to the needs of our adopters, which is why we offer a comprehensive preparation, training and support adoption programme, including access to support groups, adopter forums and adoptive family social events.
“It felt like two families coming together”
What it’s like adopting older children and siblings
