Can family placement fostering keep siblings together?

Keeping siblings together is considered as part of the wider placement plan, not as an automatic outcome. The local authority will look at each child’s welfare, the nature of their relationship and any risks or practical concerns before deciding whether a shared placement is suitable.

Sibling relationships can be an important source of familiarity and identity when children enter care. Living together may help brothers and sisters retain shared routines, family memories and a sense of continuity. However, siblings may also have experienced different events within their family home, and their needs may not be the same. One child may take on a caring or protective role, while another may be more dependent, withdrawn or distressed.

During assessment and matching, professionals may consider:

• the children’s ages, development and individual care needs;
• how they behave towards one another and how they respond to separation or conflict;
• whether one sibling has been placed in a parental or protective role;
• any safeguarding concerns, including behaviour that could place another child at risk;
• the children’s education, health appointments, routines and transport arrangements; and
• whether the proposed carers can provide individual attention as well as care for the sibling group.

A placement plan should set out how the children will be cared for together. This can include agreed routines, household expectations, arrangements for school and activities, and how carers should respond to disagreements. It should also recognise that siblings may need time apart, private conversations with trusted adults and opportunities to develop interests of their own. Keeping siblings together does not mean expecting them to share every activity or resolve difficult feelings without adult help.

Foster carers can support the relationship by treating each child as an individual, avoiding comparisons and making sure that attention, belongings and responsibilities are managed fairly. It is important not to make an older child responsible for a younger sibling, even if they have previously provided care at home. Carers should give children space to talk about their relationships in an age-appropriate way and should share significant changes in behaviour or mood with the supervising social worker and other relevant professionals.

Sometimes a joint placement is not considered safe or sustainable. This may be because the children’s needs conflict, their relationship has become harmful, or the care required by one child prevents the other from receiving appropriate attention. A decision to place siblings separately should be based on their welfare rather than convenience. When this happens, the local authority should consider how their relationship can be maintained through planned contact, communication or other arrangements, where that is safe and in their best interests.

Sibling placements may need review as children grow and their circumstances change. Foster carers should attend reviews, contribute observations and explain what is working or becoming difficult. Training, supervision and ongoing guidance can help carers understand sibling dynamics, manage conflict and provide consistent care while professionals review the plan.

If you are considering family placement fostering for siblings, ask how the assessment will consider each child individually, what information will be shared before a placement and what support will be available if their needs change. These points help ensure that keeping siblings together remains a considered care arrangement rather than simply an initial placement decision.