These are run by the Department for the Economy, the Health and Social Care Trusts and Libraries NI.
Quick facts
- Care to Learn
- Childcare for parents aged 16 to 20 at college
- Young carers
- A needs assessment from your Trust
- School-age mothers
- Up to 18 weeks off school
- Family nurse
- Under 20 and expecting your first baby
- Period products
- Free in all libraries
Care to Learn: childcare while you study
If you’re a parent aged between 16 and 20 and studying at a further education college, the Care to Learn (NI) Scheme could help towards your childcare costs. You can apply for financial help if you expect to become a parent during your course. To be eligible, you must during your course of study be or become:
- the main carer of your child/children
- at least 16 years old
- under 20 years of age at the start of your course of study
If you become 20 years during your course of study you may choose to stay on the scheme. You cannot get Care to Learn if you already get childcare support from another source, such as a college's Childcare Grant Support Fund. The scheme covers full-time and part-time regulated courses from Entry Level to Level 5 at an FE college. Your local college can advise you on all these eligibility conditions.
Young carers
A young carer is aged under 18. If you are a young carer, you are entitled to a young carer's needs assessment. Your local Health and Social Care Trust or the Regional Young Carers Service will make the assessment to decide what help you and your family might need.
The assessment looks at how much care you give, and how caring affects your education and your time to relax. You should always receive a written copy of your assessment. Your school can also help, for example with extra time for schoolwork when the person you care for is ill. See help for carers in Northern Ireland.
Young mothers
If you are still of school age, you will be allowed up to 18 weeks off school before and after the birth. After your return to education, you can get help with childcare costs through Care to Learn.
If you are under 20 and expecting your first baby, a family nurse can visit you to help you have a healthy pregnancy. Your nurse visits during your pregnancy and after the birth until your baby is two years old. Ask your midwife. See also the Sure Start Maternity Grant.
Free period products
If you or someone you know needs period products, you can get them for free in libraries (including mobile libraries) across Northern Ireland. There are different types of products to choose from and you can take as many as you need. Someone else can collect them for you. The PickUpMyPeriod app shows other collection points.
Community Family Support Programme
The programme helps families where at least one member aged 16 or over is not in education, employment or training. A family support worker helps with things like finding training or work, money management and benefit advice, parenting and health. Family members aged 13 to 16 years will also receive support to address their educational needs.
You can join by contacting a programme provider directly, or a Family Support Hub or Health and Social Care Trust can refer you. See nidirect: Community Family Support Programme.
JobStart has closed
The JobStart Scheme is now closed. It gave people on working age benefits six-month paid job placements. For help into work now, see finding work in Northern Ireland.
Common questions
Do I need to be on benefits to get Care to Learn?
The eligibility rules nidirect lists are about your age, your course and being the main carer of your child. They do not include an income test. Your college can confirm.
How old do you have to be to be a young carer?
A young carer is aged under 18.
Where can I get free period products?
In libraries, including mobile libraries, across Northern Ireland.