1. Sibling Relationships in Adoptive Placements
Dr Georgina Hibbert
Clinical Psychologist

2. Current Policy
Siblings should be placed together where this is the best interests of the children.
2012 study reported that 3 in 5 children in care had siblings of which 70% were separated.

3. Why keep siblings together?
To preserve the relationship
It can result in more stable placements and better outcomes for children.
Sibling relationships can be the most important relationship for a child in care
A secure attachment to an older sibling can diminish the effects of abuse.
Separate siblings can experience trauma, anger and loss that can impact on their ability to heal and form attachments.
Research shows that an overwhelming amount of siblings would choose to stay together
Research shows that after a mother, a child would next seek out their older sibling for support. Therefore for children in care, this can be the primary person.
Stable – placement
Sibliing relationship protects against the effect of abuse.
If separated contact will reduce over time

4. What should be assessed?
Warmth and affection or hostility
Interdependence
Power status
How much time the siblings have spent together or apart
What age they were when they entered care
Different developmental needs

5. Why separate children?
Different developmental needs mean that one siblings needs may not be met.
Heightened level of violence
Sexualised behaviour with each other
Exploitation
Preferential rejection – can lead to intense rivalry and jealousy. Children can be preoccupied with and unable to tolerate the attention the other sibling might be getting.
Chronic scapegoating
Lack of available suitable sibling placements
Maintenance of unhelpful hierarchical positions in the family.

6. ‘’My sister is only three years old, she has a heart with me in it
‘’My sister is only three years old, she has a heart with me in it. Sam is braver than me – he is not scared of the dark like me. When I was left in a big house all alone, all I had was my sister to keep me company till someone returned. I love her, even if sometimes I want peace and quiet. I would be lost without her’’. Joseph age 7

7. Further research
Girls’ placements were found to be more stable in particular when girl siblings were kept together.
Sibling placements are protective of mental health and well-being. Some studies show that this is only in girls.
Siblings placed together achieve higher academic performance than those placed separately.
Girls placed in a sibling placement have been shown to have better peer relationships
Do not want child to experience more fear and loss – further trauma

8. Things get complicated when…
Siblings have different knowledge or their life story.
Siblings from different birth families can compete.
They trigger the other’s attachment pattern.
There is a heightened level of violence.

9. Strategies
Provide opportunities for mutual fun and positive interactions between them.
Find ways to have meaningful one-on-one time with each child.
Promote Reciprocity between children. If a child destroys something of the other child’s, find a way to make up for the loss.
If things are so difficult, find ways to keep them separate
Consider professional advice/support
Avoid winner/looser games
Work towards promoting their individual attachments to you.
Eg alter bedtimes
Use after school clubs
Use TV if necessary
Consider family therapy

10. Any questions?
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