Emergency care home in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is the only UK nation where health and social care are integrated, delivered through five HSC Trusts. The route to an emergency placement is shorter as a result, but the funding rules differ.
The short answer. Northern Ireland has five Health and Social Care (HSC) Trusts that commission both health and social care, so the hospital-to-community handover is run by one organisation. The upper capital limit is £23,250 (2026/27, same as England). Care is regulated by the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA). Out of hours, call the trust's social work crisis number.
Governing law and bodies
Social services in NI sit with the Department of Health (NI). DoH NI ↗Day-to-day delivery is through the five HSC Trusts.
Who to call
- HSC Trust social work referral line for your area (Belfast, South Eastern, Northern, Western, Southern).
- Out-of-hours: each Trust runs its own social work crisis service.
- RQIA for inspection records and regulator-side concerns. RQIA ↗
- NI Direct keeps the clearest plain-English guide. NI Direct ↗
How charging differs
- Capital limits broadly match England (upper £23,250, lower £14,250).
- 12-week property disregard for permanent placements.
- NHS Continuing Healthcare equivalent runs through the Trust, with a Fast Track-style route for end-of-life cases.
- Personal care is not free in NI (unlike Scotland).
Frequently asked
Does the integration of health and social care in NI speed up emergency placements?
Often yes. With one organisation commissioning both the discharge and the social care placement, handovers in well-functioning Trusts can be faster than in England.
Who is the equivalent of an Integrated Care Board in NI?
The HSC Trust itself, plus the regional Strategic Planning and Performance Group. There is no separate commissioner-and-provider split as in England.
Can I be placed in a home outside my Trust area?
Yes, but the Trust prefers in-area placements for ease of review. Cross-Trust placements require agreement from both Trusts on funding.
Last reviewed 2026-06-21. Clinical reviewer pending appointment (target Sep 2026); meanwhile reviewed by the editorial team.