Sibling separation whilst in the care system: How do children understand and make sense of sibling separation, whatever the reason, at different stages of childhood and adolescence, and what supports help mitigate distress or loss?
Background
Children in care should be supported to maintain loving, lifelong relationships with their brothers and sisters. Sibling bonds can often represent children’s most enduring sources of stability, identity and belonging, particularly during periods of disruption.
However, significant evidence gaps limit understanding of how well this ambition is currently realised. Basic descriptive data on the scale and nature of sibling separation is incomplete, including the reasons why children are unable to live with their siblings while experiencing the ‘care system’. While the Independent Care Review provided qualitative insights into the emotional impact of sibling separation, there remains limited evidence on its longer-term consequences for relationships, wellbeing, and wider life outcomes. Better evidence is needed to understand the extent and drivers behind preventable separation of siblings, which supports are most effective in sustaining these relationships.
Next steps
Get in touch with [email protected]
Research fields
Related UKRI funded projects
-
Sharing Our Stories: Experiences of Sibling Bereavement
There is no guarantee of a positive relationship with our siblings. Indeed, it is with brothers and sisters that we can have the fiercest of fall outs and most subtle of reconcilliations. Yet the relationship we share wi...
Funded by: ESRC
Lead research organisation: University of Sheffield
Why might this be relevant?
Partially relevant as it focuses on sibling bereavement rather than sibling separation in the care system.
-
Keeping the Child in Mind? Family Functioning and Experiences of Shared Parenting After Separation
By age five, 25% of children in the UK will have experienced their parents' separation, a risk factor for emotional and behavioural problems which have long-term personal and societal costs. Alongside managing emotions, ...
Funded by: ESRC
Lead research organisation: University of Edinburgh
Why might this be relevant?
Partially relevant as it focuses on shared parenting after separation, not sibling separation in the care system.