Sibling separation whilst in the care system: How does the rate and nature of sibling separation for children experiencing care in a cross-border caring environment compare with those experiencing care within the child’s home jurisdiction and closer to home, and how does this vary across different local authorities?
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.
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Related UKRI funded projects
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Kinship care re-visited: Using Census 2011 Microdata to Examine and Map the Extent and Nature of Kinship Care Households in the UK
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Why might this be relevant?
The project focuses on kinship care households in the UK, which directly relates to the question about sibling separation in the care system.
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Why might this be relevant?
Partially relevant as it focuses on sibling bereavement rather than sibling separation in care.
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Why might this be relevant?
Partially relevant as it explores family functioning and shared parenting after separation, not specifically sibling separation in care.