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How To Foster Sibling Groups | Fostering Siblings UK

SIBLING GROUP CARE

When you’ve decided that Fostering is a career that you wish to pursue, the process to assessment will begin. Part of this process will be to assess if you are suitable and would like to Foster Sibling groups.

All fostering involves a great deal of knowledge, energy, patience and enthusiasm to ensure that children’s care needs are met, however these skills and qualities are in greater demand when siblings are placed n foster homes.

With this in mind, it’s not surprising that Foster Carers that are willing and of course, suited to caring for groups of children are in very high demand.

It’s a duty to place children together when it’s in their best interest, providing there are foster homes available with the relevant approval terms in line with legislation however, it is not always possible to find placements that are suitable. 

Benefits Of Fostering Siblings.

Keeping brothers and sisters together maintains is familiarity in an environment that is completely foreign to the them. 

Being able to gain reassurance from one another and knowing that each of them are safe and getting looked after helps to reduce the stresses and anxiety children experience being placed in care.

How Siblings Can Feel In Care

Anxiety can be prominent for any for any individual when moving to a new home, this is significantly magnified for a child who is not only moving to a new home but also amongst a whole new familial network. 

This is worsened when separation has occurred, a child will not only be endeavouring to harness their own concerns and anxieties regarding their immediate to long term care, they now have that added worry bout the whereabouts and wellbeing of their brother or sister.

Where are they? How do siblings feel? Are they scared? Are they being treated and cared for well? Are all prime examples of potential thought processes, further adding the already anxious state. Such concerns will, of course, hinder their own efforts to settle into their new environment, their ability and want to embrace their new surroundings and the people within it.

To further exacerbate matters, separation poses a very real risk of straining bonds should the separation be over prolonged periods, a bond that can prove so important, so integral to them when they eventually move into adulthood.

Is Keeping children together Aways Best?

Placements are not always a straight forward process, the older child, if accustomed to sibling placement may well have taken on the responsibility of carer and as such are not willing to relinquish these duties to you, the carer(s). In any fostering instance, the child’s welfare is paramount and and as such, the placement of siblings (together) does not always represent the option of care.

It is important remember that we are all individuals, we all have our views, children in care are no different. There is a very real possibility that a child has a very alternative view as to what a sibling actually is, there could be a very strong desire for the maintenance of a relationship or bond with half and/or step sibling residing outside of care, that they wish to continue.

As you can see, there is much to consider when looking at Sibling placements, and whilst it has it’s potential challenges, it also has it’s significant benefits to the children, which in turn will return terrific rewards for them, you and your family.

Read more about sibling separation and siblings sharing bedroom

UK Wide Fostering Network

Try these: South WestDevonExeter

If you live in the UK… We’ve got you covered.
We cover the length and breadth of the UK with our unique Agency Network. Finding an Agency near you and supporting your move into foster caring.

 

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