Keeping brothers and sisters together after entering care can make a real difference to how children cope with such a big change. This type of care focuses on finding a home that can welcome a sibling group, with carers who have the space, skills and patience to meet each child’s needs while supporting their relationships with one another.

Coming into care can feel overwhelming at first. Children are adjusting to a new home, new routines and unfamiliar adults, often after a difficult period in their lives. When they can stay with their brothers and sisters, they’re less alone in that adjustment. They have familiar faces around them, someone who understands what they’ve been through, and a bond that can help them feel safer and more settled.

Wherever we can, we work hard to keep siblings together. In our experience, children are more likely to settle and begin making progress when they remain with their brothers and sisters, particularly when there’s a close emotional connection. Being able to share day-to-day life, support each other, and keep important relationships strong can help children feel more secure and build confidence in their new environment.

That said, keeping siblings together isn’t always possible or in everyone’s best interests. Sometimes the sibling group is simply too large for one home to accommodate. In other cases, a significant age gap can mean siblings need very different types of care, routines, or levels of supervision. Occasionally, relationships can be strained or there may be conflict that makes living separately the safer option, at least for a period of time. Another common challenge is the shortage of carers who have enough room to welcome two or more children.

Caring for sibling groups can be complex, even though it’s often incredibly rewarding. Children may arrive with shared routines, shared worries, and different ways of coping that can affect family life day to day. That’s why we provide specialist training and support to carers who welcome sibling groups, so they feel prepared to handle sibling dynamics, encourage healthy relationships, and give each child the individual attention they need.

If you have the space and time to offer brothers and sisters a stable home together, we’d love to talk. Getting in touch could be the first step towards keeping a family connection intact when children need it most.

In addition to siblings foster care, Lotus Foster Care provides vital respite foster care for families and carers, specialist placements for unaccompanied asylum seeking children, and tailored parent and child fostering to support parents in caring safely for their babies.