When people consider fostering, a whole host of questions often come to mind. "Do I have enough space?" "Am I the right age?" "What kind of support will I get?" Among the most frequent and important questions we hear at Lighthouse Fostering is, "Can I foster siblings?"
The answer is a clear and resounding yes. In fact, not only can you foster siblings, but carers who are able to open their homes to brothers and sisters are some of the most sought-after in the country. Keeping siblings together is a national priority within the care system, yet it remains a significant challenge.
For many children, their bond with their brothers and sisters is the most constant and significant relationship in their lives. When they enter the care system, maintaining that connection becomes more vital than ever. This blog post explores why we are so passionate about our mission to keep siblings together, what is involved in fostering sibling groups, and the unique rewards that come with it.
The Unbreakable Bond: Why Sibling Relationships Matter
For a child entering care, their world is turned upside down. They face the uncertainty of a new home, a new routine, and new faces. In this sea of change, their siblings can be their only anchor. A brother or sister is often the only person who truly understands what they have been through and what they are feeling.
This shared history creates a powerful, protective bond that provides immense emotional and psychological benefits:
- Emotional Stability: Having a sibling by their side can significantly reduce the trauma and anxiety of entering care. It provides a sense of familiarity, continuity, and belonging when everything else feels strange and frightening.
- Reduced Sense of Loss: Children in care are already coping with the loss of being separated from their parents. Separating them from their siblings can compound this grief, leading to a profound sense of loneliness and isolation.
- Identity and Connection: Siblings are a key part of a child's identity and life story. They are a living link to their family, their history, and their roots. Keeping them together helps preserve this crucial sense of self.
- Better Long-Term Outcomes: Research consistently shows that children who are placed with their siblings tend to have better emotional well-being, fewer behavioural problems, and are more likely to achieve academic success later in life.
At Lighthouse Fostering, we see the positive impact every day. When we successfully place a sibling group together, we see children who settle more quickly, who support each other through difficult moments, and who are able to navigate their journey in care with more resilience.
The Challenge of Keeping Siblings Together
Despite the clear benefits, thousands of siblings are separated when they enter the care system in the UK each year. The primary reason for this is a national shortage of foster carers who have the physical space and the capacity to care for more than one child.
Finding a placement for a single child is challenging enough. Finding one for a group of two, three, or even more brothers and sisters can be incredibly difficult. Local authorities are often left with the heartbreaking decision to split sibling groups up, placing them in different homes, sometimes miles apart. While contact can be arranged, it is not the same as the daily comfort and support of living under the same roof.
This is why foster carers who are willing and able to foster siblings are so incredibly valuable. You can provide a solution that changes the entire trajectory of a group of children’s lives.
What is Needed to Foster Siblings?
If you are considering fostering a sibling group, you might be wondering what is required. The core requirements are the same as for any foster carer: resilience, patience, a good sense of humour, and a genuine desire to make a difference. However, there are a few practical considerations.
Space in Your Home
The most significant practical requirement is having enough space. Each child needs their own space to feel safe and secure, though depending on age and circumstances, some younger siblings may be able to share a bedroom. As a general rule, you will need at least one spare bedroom, and ideally more for larger groups. During your assessment, your social worker will discuss your home's layout and how it could accommodate multiple children.
Time and Energy
Caring for more than one child naturally requires more time and energy. The logistics of school runs, homework, after-school clubs, and contact arrangements become more complex. It is important to realistically consider your own capacity and the support network you have around you.
Financial Stability
While Lighthouse Fostering provides a generous financial allowance for each child you care for, it is important to have a degree of financial stability. The allowance is designed to cover all the costs of caring for the children and includes a professional fee for you, but managing a larger household budget is a key consideration.
It is important to remember that you do not need to be a "super-carer" to foster siblings. You just need a big heart and a home with enough space. We provide the comprehensive training and robust foster carer support to help you with the rest.
The Immense Rewards of Fostering Siblings
While it has its challenges, carers who look after sibling groups often describe it as one of the most rewarding experiences of their lives.
Watching brothers and sisters support each other, play together, and maintain their family bond in your home is a unique privilege. You are not just providing a home for individual children; you are nurturing a family unit. You get to witness their shared jokes, their protective instincts towards one another, and the simple comfort they find in each other's presence.
By keeping them together, you are giving them a gift that will last a lifetime. You are helping them to build a secure foundation from which they can both heal and grow, both as individuals and as a family.
Could You Provide a Home for Siblings?
There is a desperate need for more foster carers who are able to care for sibling groups across Kent and East Sussex. If you have a spare bedroom (or two) and feel you could offer a safe and loving home to brothers and sisters, we would be delighted to hear from you.
Taking this step could mean the difference between a group of siblings growing up together or growing up apart. It is a chance to make a profound and lasting impact on multiple lives at once.
Reach out to the friendly team at Lighthouse Fostering today for a no-pressure chat. Let’s talk about how you could help us keep siblings together and give them the family environment they deserve.