Fostering Siblings
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When more than one child from the same family requires foster care, siblings can experience a great deal of separation and loss if they are not kept together.
It’s not always feasible to keep foster children from the same family together. But in most cases, fostering siblings together allows children to maintain their family bonds, which can be crucial for their emotional well-being.
Remaining together can also help to reassure children who require foster care, as their siblings will provide a sense of familiarity, identity and mutual support.
The overall aim of keeping siblings together in foster care where possible, is to reduce any potential negative impacts. This can arise due to children being separated from both their parents or guardians, in addition to their siblings while being fostered.
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.
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Fostering Siblings FAQs
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.
Areas We Cover
Match Foster Care covers all over the West Midlands, including, Birmingham, Worcestershire, Staffordshire, Dudley, Sandwell, Herefordshire, Telford, Wolverhampton, Shropshire, Walsall, Warwickshire, Stoke, Solihull, Coventry and Gloucestershire.
We have two offices: one in Droitwich and one in Stoke but our staff are located across the whole region to provide local support when you most need it.
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
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