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Fostering Siblings

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While most of us take growing up with our siblings for granted, latest reports from the Children’s Commissioners show that 37% of children in foster care have been separated from their siblings. It’s important for siblings in care to maintain and develop their relationships with their siblings, which means there is an urgent need for foster carers who can look after sibling groups. In this guide, we’ll explain everything you need to know about fostering siblings.  

Why is it important to keep siblings together in foster care?

When fostering a sibling group, not only will you be helping keep a family together, but you’ll also be helping them in several other ways, including:

  1. Consistency – Our relationship with our siblings is usually the longest-lasting relationship we will have in the family. By keeping siblings together, it helps them to maintain a consistent relationship.
  2. Support – Keeping siblings together can provide an extra level of support for your foster children. The familiarity of a sibling will not only help them to feel less isolated but also provide them with someone to confide in.
  3. Accepting their new family – Studies have shown that older children who have been separated from younger siblings often have a difficult time feeling like they are part of the foster family.
  4. Future happiness – Knowing that they will not be apart from their siblings, that they will be with someone they love, has been shown to have a very positive effect on their outcome in later life.

When are siblings separated in foster care?

Sometimes, it can be unavoidable to separate siblings in foster care.

  • Timing – Sometimes sibling groups are taken into care at different times, making it more difficult to keep them together.
  • Age – Another factor is the age of the siblings. Younger siblings of the same gender are more likely to be kept together.
  • Size – A larger sibling group is unlikely to be placed together. although they have a strong possibility of staying with at least one sibling.
  • Behaviour and personality – Behavioural difficulties are another factor in splitting up a sibling group.
  • Accommodation – Last but not least, the lack of foster families who are able to accommodate a sibling group is a major factor in separating a sibling group. The lack of foster carers who not only have the room but are able to take care of more than one child is often the main reason for sibling groups being split up.

What are the requirements for fostering siblings?

The fostering requirements for siblings has the same basis as our standard fostering requirements as you must be in good health, over 21 years of ages and have enough room.  

The first questions asked about prospective foster families is whether there is a separate bedroom for a foster child. It is a mandate of the fostering services that every child over the age of three has his or her own bedroom. Although, if the room is large enough, it is possible for siblings to share a bedroom if they are the same gender and under the age of 10. In some cases, this can provide comfort and security to the foster siblings who have been taken from their usual home and now find themselves in an unknown situation.

Can you foster siblings if you already have a child in your care?

Yes, you can - providing you have enough room and your existing foster child is likely to adapt well to another addition to the family.

Our foster care matching team will work closely with the supervising social worker to take into consideration the children already in your home as well as the space you have available. If you already have siblings in your care, the same process takes place if you wish to take in another child from a separate family. The important component is to place children where they have the best chance at thriving.

What support is available for carers fostering siblings?

Here at Capstone Foster Care, we offer expert training and support to ensure you have the tools you need to foster siblings. We’ll also provide a competitive fostering allowance to support you the needs of the fostering family. Our team of social workers and support workers are here to help build the relationship between you and your and your foster children and help them settle into their new home.

Why foster siblings?

One foster carer explained the benefits of fostering siblings:

“Fostering siblings has been an amazing experience for us. We are both from large families ourselves and so realise the importance of family. We would not have it any other way now. Yes, sometimes they clash, but what siblings don’t? We just manage the situations and encourage positive relationships with each other.”

Sibling groups that are kept together experience greater stability and better mental health. It has been proven that they have better educational outcomes, which in turn leads to a more positive adulthood.

To summarise, fostering siblings can help in the following ways:

  • Helping children to settle into their foster placements much quicker
  • Providing a sense of security when their brother or sister is with them
  • Providing a sense of identity and belonging
  • Allowing them to support each other through this difficult time of leaving a family home
  • Creating a less daunting fostering journey for siblings if they are together

Want to know more about fostering siblings? Get in touch with a member of our expert team today.

Thinking of fostering?

If you’ve got any questions or would like to find out more about fostering with Capstone, fill out the form below.
An experienced fostering advisor from your local area will then be in touch.

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