Beyond together or apart - Planning for, assessing and placing sibling groups

Brothers and sisters have potentially the longest lasting and one of the closest relationships of their lives with each other – connections that have enormous capacity for shared understanding, and which are expected to last. But looked after children needing permanence – and approximately 60 per cent have siblings – these connections will be weakened or even severed if they are placed separately.

Children consistently tell us that their relationships with brothers and sisters are important to them and should be respected. Understandably, questions about placing siblings “together or apart” weigh heavily on those involved. Too often, decisions are hastily made and driven by resources rather than a consideration of the life-long impact potential separation, and the ensuing loss, will have. What should be considered when planning for, assessing and placing siblings? How can birth families, social workers and foster carers work collaboratively, taking account of children’s needs and wishes, to contribute to the best plans? And if brothers and sisters cannot live together, how can they best be supported to maintain relationships?

This thought-provoking guide challenges practitioners to put the lifelong impact of sibling relationships first, and plan accordingly... to think beyond together or apart. Packed with information, the guide includes samples of forms and sample letters that can be used so that information and observations from key resources contribute to sibling assessment.

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This guide is for children's social workers, family placement workers, social work managers and others, and is a 'must have; A-Z of doing the best for brothers and sisters.

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