Children in care with their brothers and sisters are some of our strongest and closest little friends and need special consideration as they form a very special bond. How this bond is looked after can have a big impact on the child’s development and transition to independence over the years.
The Legal Duty to Keep Siblings Together
There is a statutory obligation for Local Authorities to try to place children in care with their siblings. During the matching process the carer and their family will be told whether there are any other siblings in care and where they are living.
Ask the Right Questions at Matching Stage
Before the children are placed with you, ask the supervising social worker for the children to be considered for placement with you if there are other siblings to be placed with them and what contact arrangements there will be with siblings not placed with you.
Managing Contact When Siblings Are Split
In cases where a sibling group cannot be placed together, contact between siblings is expected to be regular and supervised by the foster carer(s). A simple record of all contact visits with a note of the child’s mood prior to and following contact would be helpful.
Supporting the Emotional Bond
In addition to trying to preserve their relationship, children and young people also grieve for their siblings. It can be helpful to have photos of brothers and sisters around the home, to refer to their names regularly and to discuss with children when they may next meet their siblings.
Raise Concerns If Contact Stalls
If contact is not being held as previously agreed then this needs to be raised with your supervising social worker as soon as possible and in writing.
More on Foster Care Bridgend can be found at https://saferfostering.org.uk/foster-care-wales/bridgend.
This is important for everyone’s well-being, so make sure you know where you stand.