Fostering Siblings
Fostering siblings plays a vital role in helping children stay together during a time of significant change. Sadly, due to a shortage of foster carers with the space to care for more than one child, siblings are often separated in care. At our agency, we believe in the importance of family bonds and the emotional security that comes from staying with a sibling. Fostering siblings means offering love, stability, and a shared sense of belonging to children who have already experienced upheaval. If you have the space in your home—and heart—to foster siblings, you could help keep families together and change multiple lives for the better.
Why are siblings separated in foster care?
Match Foster Care strives to keep siblings together whenever it is possible. However, in some cases, keeping siblings together is unsuitable or is simply not possible.
When foster siblings are separated, it can be due to the following reasons:
- There are not enough foster homes that can accommodate multiple children, especially if the siblings are older or have specific needs.
- If siblings have a history of conflict or violence towards each other, it may be necessary to separate them for safety reasons.
- If one sibling has higher needs than the others, they may need to be placed in a different foster home that can better accommodate those needs.
- The age difference could be another factor that might influence separating siblings. If there is a big age gap between siblings they may need to be placed in separate foster homes. This is due to the differences in developmental needs and the levels of supervision required.
Keeping siblings together in foster care
As noted above, there are multiple reasons for fostering siblings together. It helps children form positive relationships in their foster home, and in turn allows them to share their thoughts and experiences with each other.
It is often the case that siblings who are separated through the foster care system experience grief and anxiety. This happens because they get worried about the well-being of their brothers and sisters.
So where keeping siblings together in foster care is both practical and possible, it would always be the preferred option.
Fostering siblings allowances UK
All of our foster parents are entitled to receive a fostering allowance, which is calculated based on the number of foster children they are caring for as well as their age.
To determine your income as a foster parent, you can make use of our fostering allowance calculator.
Our Foster Carers’ Stories
Everything You Need to Know
Yes, sometimes siblings are separated when they require foster care.
While it is not the preferred option to separate siblings who require foster care, it is not always possible for a foster carer to accommodate multiple children. This can be due to differences in the children’s ages and needs, among many other reasons.
Otherwise, every effort is made to keep foster children together, especially where it is deemed the best option for the children.
Generally speaking, all foster children require their own room.
Sometimes exceptions can be made for foster siblings. However, the answer will depend on the age and gender of the children as to whether or not they can share a room. The size of the room may also be a deciding factor.
In short, same-sex foster siblings can sometimes be allowed to share a room up to the age of around 10 (local authority dependent).
Though, it’s also good to note that foster children cannot share a room with existing children within the household who are not from their own birth family.
All children who require fostering have a complex range of needs. In the short-term this requires being offered support and reassurance that they are in a safe place.
In many cases, having at least one other sibling with them can offer additional reassurance. Though, foster carers will still need to establish a sense of belonging, during what is a very worrying and confusing time for children.
For foster siblings who unfortunately cannot remain together, the sense of loss and worry may be felt more acutely. Providing a sense of stability is one of the best ways to support a child, and ensure their needs are met while in foster care.
Whether siblings are fostered together or separated, the goal remains the same. That is to limit children experiencing any negative emotions and experiences as much as possible while in foster care. Foster carers and the support they give are integral to long-term good outcomes.
Droitwich Office
Severn House, 30 – 32 Ombersley Street West,
Droitwich Spa, Worcestershire,
WR9 8QZ
Stoke-on-Trent Office
3-5 Vale Street,
Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire,
ST4 7LR
