To ask the Minister of Health, pursuant to AQW 19716/22-27, to provide details of the evaluations undertaken following the pilot programmes.

The OSS is completing a scoping exercise to review evaluations of Equine Assisted Therapy/Learning programmes in each of the Health & Social Care Trusts.

The findings from the evaluation report received from the Belfast Trust based on a pilot programme to support children in stable foster care who have experienced trauma, loneliness and isolation, has been very positive and highlights that the children have benefitted from this intervention.

The Western Trusts ‘early help’ pilot programme for families who have been subject to domestic violence is underway. Early indications are that the children and parents are greatly benefitting from this type of intervention. A fuller evaluation is planned on completion of the programme which will help inform the way forward.