Keeping Siblings Together In Foster Care FAQs

Keeping siblings together is always a primary objective when children enter foster care, owing to the negative effects of separating siblings in foster care. 

In some cases, it is not possible to keep siblings together. However, this would always be the last resort.

When siblings feel united rather than divided, this helps to create positive outcomes for the whole family.

Children feel a sense of belonging and can also feel safer when they live in a home that is inclusive, where there is also room for individual personalities to shine through.

Since sibling bonds remain important for children as they become adults, developing their relationship while they are young can provide them with an invaluable support network throughout the rest of their lives.

The psychological consequences of separating siblings in foster care can remain with foster children long into adulthood. Therefore, unless there is a valid reason not to, it is always deemed better for siblings to remain together when they are placed in foster care. 

Simply put, keeping siblings together helps create a sense of normalcy and familiarity for children at a time when their whole lives have been disrupted.

Children over the age of 3 will require their own room. 

However, there can sometimes be exceptions if the siblings are of the same sex and the children are also aged under 11. 

The decision will need to be made on a case-by-case basis, and should also take into account if the siblings are used to sharing a room or not.

Absolutely. Since there is a national shortage of foster carers for siblings, it may be the case that multiple children from the same family or even different families require foster care. In some instances, this can involve fostering 3 siblings or more. 

However, it’s also important to factor in what’s practical in terms of your available space and your ability to commit to looking after more than one child at a time. 

In some cases, there may be large age gaps or behavioural issues which may create challenges when fostering two sets of siblings. 

At Match Foster Care, we work closely with our foster carers to understand their preferences as well as their availability which we understand may be subject to change depending on their commitments. 

Therefore, you can rest assured that you will always be given the choice about whether any foster placement is right for you or not.

Getting along with siblings is important in all families, though it remains especially vital for 

siblings in foster care.

Keeping siblings together is always preferable, especially in terms of strengthening bonds between siblings. 

As a foster parent, there are other techniques which can be useful, including creating opportunities to spend quality time both individually and together as a family. 

Children should also be encouraged to share their feelings and emotions. There should also be space for children to express their unique identities. 

At Match Foster Care, we’ll also provide plenty of training and support to encourage the best outcomes for the children in your care.

The amount of fostering allowance you will be paid depends on how many siblings you look after, their ages and the duration of the fostering.

Generally, this amount is around £400-£480 per week per child. Due to the generous tax allowances for foster carers, this money would be tax-free.  

Use our finance calculator to check how much your fostering allowance could be.