This year's 'Social care – Making a difference' campaign launched today (24 June 2026) with a special event at the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust’s Beech Hall Day Centre in West Belfast – celebrating the extraordinary contribution of social care practitioners and encouraging others to consider a career in social care.

The campaign is created by social care leaders, delivered by the Northern Ireland Social Care Council (Social Care Council) and supported by the Department of Health, and features real stories of people working in social care. Social care is the largest health and social care workforce in Northern Ireland, with almost 42,000 practitioners working across different services for almost 500 employers – providing physical, emotional and social support to help people live their lives.

Three signature campaign videos premiered at today's event, featuring practitioners from Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, Connected Health and Threshold Services — showcasing social care as a professional career and the profound difference social care makes to the lives of those who receive it.

Kerrylee Weatherall, Executive Director of Social Work, speaking at today's launch on behalf of Belfast Trust, said:

"Social care has always been about people like Erne and Deirdre. At its heart are compassion, dignity, practical support and human connection. Today is an opportunity to recognise social care as a profession in its own right — one that brings enormous skill, judgement, resilience and leadership."

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt was the keynote speaker, using the event to say 'thank you' to Northern Ireland's social care workforce and to set out the important role social care plays in the Department of Health's Reset Plan and Neighbourhood Model.

Speaking at today's launch, Minister Nesbitt said:

"Today is first and foremost about saying thank you. I am incredibly proud of this workforce. Almost 42,000 social care practitioners across Northern Ireland get up every day with the purpose of supporting others, including those with complex needs, who want to live independently, or those who simply need a helping hand. That is remarkable, and it deserves to be celebrated.

"Social care is not on the margins of our health and social care system. It is at its heart. The Reset Plan and the Neighbourhood Model depend on a skilled, valued and well-supported social care workforce. I and my Department are committed to ensuring social care practitioners are supported and empowered to provide the highest standards of care and meet the evolving needs of individuals, families and the carers who need their support. That is why we launched our first Social Care Workforce Strategy, and introduced the Care in Practice Framework to give practitioners real career pathways and to recognise the vital and diverse roles that social care practitioners play.

“To every social care practitioner in Northern Ireland, I want to say thank you.”

The campaign runs until September 2026, with a new story released each week across the Social Care Council's social media channels on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, BlueSky and LinkedIn.

Tracy Reid, Chief Executive of the Social Care Council, said:

"The 'Social Care – Making a Difference' campaign exists because this workforce deserves to have its story told — honestly, powerfully and in the words of the people who live it every day. The practitioners, managers and leaders who have shared their stories this year have given something generous and real, and I hope that generosity inspires others to look at social care with fresh eyes.

"Social care is the quiet backbone of our communities. Its economic contribution to Northern Ireland is £1.5 billion – larger than the finance and ICT sectors. But more than that, it is the sector that supports people to live with dignity, independence and connection. If you have ever thought about a career that genuinely matters, I would encourage you to take that first step and find out more."

The campaign's 2025–26 messaging reflects three priorities: attracting new people into social care, recognising and retaining the existing workforce, and building understanding of social care among other health and care professionals.

The campaign is underpinned by the Care in Practice Framework, which provides structured career learning and qualification pathways for social care practitioners at all levels – from those just starting out to experienced professionals looking to develop further.

No specific qualifications are required to begin a career in social care – training is provided. Interested individuals are encouraged to contact their nearest social care provider or visit the Social Care Council's campaign page to find out more.

Make a difference to lives with a career in social care. Find out more at: https://niscc.info/interested-in-becoming-a-social-care-practitioner.