Siblings in Foster Care – what Llanelli Foster Carers need to know!
Foster Carers in Llanelli need to know the practicalities of placements of more than one child, especially where all the children are siblings of each other.
Welsh Regulations Favour Keeping Siblings Together
The Welsh duty placed on Local Authorities to keep siblings together where it is safe to do so, and the Welsh Government foster care guidance that sets out when it is acceptable to separate siblings and when it should be reviewed, mean that a key consideration for carers will be to take a sibling group.
What Matching Looks Like for Sibling Groups
Finding the right home for a sibling group can take longer than finding a single placement as the authority will be trying to find a home that can meet the needs of all the children in the group. This can involve the agency and the local authority having discussions about the ages and needs of the children and the amount of space you have in your home. The home will be approved in relation to the specific children that are going to be placed with you and you and your supervising social worker will be expected to address any concerns that you have prior to the children going home with you.
The Space and Logistics You Actually Need If you are looking for Foster Care Llanelli, see saferfostering.org.uk/foster-care-wales/llanelli.
Two children sharing a bedroom is acceptable in some circumstances. However, older children, and children of the opposite sex will require separate bedrooms. Make sure you check the approval conditions of your home and any limitations around numbers and bedrooms before agreeing a placement. Also, make sure you discuss any concerns you have with your supervising social worker.
Supporting Contact When Siblings Are Separated
If siblings are placed in different foster homes then as their foster carer you will be expected to support contact between them. This may be regular visits, phone calls or other joint activities. You should keep a simple record of the arrangements and of the contacts that actually take place. This will offer you some protection should any issues arise but also is evidence of your commitment to ensuring the children are able to maintain their relationship with each other.
Managing Different Ages and Needs
Children of different ages will need different times of the day to complete different activities. A 10 year old and a 2 year old cannot be expected to fit into the same routine for all activities. However this does not mean that there cannot be any shared family time. There will be times when you can do activities with the children as a family and then spend quality time with each child doing things that are appropriate for their age. It is always best to talk to your supervising social worker if there are any signs of rivalry between the children or if you are experiencing any distress.
