Children in care could soon receive stronger legal support to maintain relationships with their brothers and sisters under proposed changes to legislation currently progressing through Parliament.
The UK Government has introduced an amendment to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill that would require local authorities in England and Wales to actively promote and facilitate contact between siblings who are separated in care. The move is intended to place sibling relationships on the same legal footing as contact with parents, reflecting their importance in providing emotional support and stability.
At present, sibling contact is not consistently prioritised by local authorities, and many care-experienced individuals have reported losing touch with brothers and sisters after entering the care system. Campaigners and stakeholders have long argued that these separations can have lasting emotional and developmental impacts.
Under the proposed changes, councils would be expected to take reasonable steps to ensure siblings can stay in contact, even when they are placed in different locations. The requirement would extend to half-siblings and step-siblings. However, the duty would not apply in situations where contact is deemed not to be in the child’s best interests, such as in cases involving abuse or safeguarding concerns.
The amendment was welcomed in the House of Lords on 25 March following discussions with sector organisations and parliamentarians. It is expected to return to the House of Commons for further debate after the Easter recess before any final approval.
The measure forms part of a broader package of reforms aimed at improving outcomes for children in care. The government has also outlined efforts to reduce placements far from home and improve placement planning through an expansion of Regional Care Co-operatives, supported by £10.8 million in funding.
In addition, plans are in place to increase foster care capacity, including the creation of 10,000 new placements. This will be backed by £88 million in funding, with a portion allocated to help existing foster carers expand their homes to accommodate sibling groups.
These initiatives sit alongside wider investment in early intervention and family support programmes, as part of a long-term strategy to create more stable and supportive environments for vulnerable children.
The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill has been described by the government as a significant step in reforming child protection and social care systems, with a focus on improving life chances for children across the country.
Chris Hoyle, who was in the care system as a child, said: ‘After being initially separated, being reunited with my brother in the same foster placement changed my life. My brother is the longest relationship I have ever had, by some distance. How do you define the value of that? How do you put a price on still being in contact with the person who loved you first? I can’t.
‘Jonny is a rock in my life. A 6’2 rock who supports the wrong football team. He keeps me grounded in my identity and provides a safety net that has lasted a lifetime.
‘The Department for Education once called us ‘The Hoyle Brothers’. We are a package deal thanks to the bravery of senior staff who decided that sharing a bedroom was not worth losing something that cannot be bought.
‘Wherever it is safe and possible, the relationships of siblings in care should be a priority. Those relationships can last a lifetime and are priceless.’
Photo: Kevin Gent
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