Extern's 2027 NI Assembly Election Manifesto: Building Services Around People's Lives

Ahead of the 2027 Northern Ireland Assembly Election, Extern is calling on the next Northern Ireland Executive to change how the region responds to homelessness, substance misuse, poor mental health, trauma, poverty and offending – through early intervention of services before escalation to crisis.

Extern's manifesto sets out three priorities for the next Northern Ireland Executive:

1. Intervene Earlier — prevent crisis before it starts
2. Make Support Seamless — one person, one plan, one pathway
3. Sustained Partnerships — long-term funding to sustain proven community services

1. Intervene Earlier: Preventing Crisis Before It Starts

Crisis rarely arrives without warning. Extern is asking the next Northern Ireland Executive to make prevention a cross-government priority, invest in community-based support before problems escalate, and shift funding from crisis response toward prevention.

2. Make Support Seamless: One Person, One Plan, One Pathway

People with complex needs face separate systems with separate rules - especially during major life transitions such as leaving prison or leaving care. Extern is asking the next Northern Ireland Executive to build joined-up pathways across government departments, provide one co-ordinated support plan per person, and improve continuity of support through life transitions.

3. Sustained Partnerships: Investing in the Organisations People Trust

Short-term funding makes it difficult for voluntary organisations to plan, retain staff, or sustain the trust they've built with vulnerable people. Extern is asking the next Northern Ireland Executive to move from short-term projects to multi-year investment, commission services around people's lives rather than departmental boundaries, and invest in the voluntary sector as a strategic delivery partner.

Contact: Extern Comms Team – [email protected]