Placing large sibling groups for adoption

Brothers and sisters matter to each other, whether they share a history or not. The importance of maintaining sibling relationships is now widely recognised in policy and legislation. However, in practice it can be difficult to meet these obligations. Attempts to find families for large sibling groups are frequently unsuccessful and many children end up being adopted away from their brothers and sisters.

This guide examines how adoption professionals and children’s social workers handle the adoption process for large sibling groups, with an emphasis on practices and policies that may help or hinder prospective adopters and the children they wish to adopt. It explores the recruitment, assessment and preparation of sibling groups adopters; linking and matching, introductions, contact with siblings living elsewhere, supporting the adopters, and the challenges and rewards of adopting siblings.

Based on the findings of a unique research study (Adopting large sibling groups) the guide provides an overview of research on large sibling groups and explores the barriers to keeping siblings together. The guide provides good practice for adoption agency staff and children’s social workers. It may also be useful reading for prospective adopters who are thinking of adopting three or more siblings.

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