More effort needed to keep siblings together in care
Joe Lepper
Friday, November 19, 2010
The Fostering Network is calling on councils to do more to ensure siblings are not separated when they are taken into care.
According to the charity, siblings are separated in three-quarters of cases. Factors include a lack of available places, with the Fostering Network saying that 10,000 more foster families are needed to meet demand.
In many cases siblings’ placements are a considerable distance apart, which can cause long-term harm to their relationships.
Keeping brothers and sisters together when placed in care is important as they "often provide the only relationship that lasts throughout a lifetime," said the charity in a statement.
Council fostering services are being urged to ensure that, where siblings are separated, they are helped to stay in touch. This could include using social media websites such as Facebook and organising visits.
Raina Sheridan, deputy chief executive of the Fostering Network, said: "It’s vital that fostering services listen to the views of young people, who overwhelmingly say their relationship with their brothers and sisters is the most important one they have."
In many cases siblings’ placements are a considerable distance apart, which can cause long-term harm to their relationships.
Keeping brothers and sisters together when placed in care is important as they "often provide the only relationship that lasts throughout a lifetime," said the charity in a statement.
Council fostering services are being urged to ensure that, where siblings are separated, they are helped to stay in touch. This could include using social media websites such as Facebook and organising visits.
Raina Sheridan, deputy chief executive of the Fostering Network, said: "It’s vital that fostering services listen to the views of young people, who overwhelmingly say their relationship with their brothers and sisters is the most important one they have."