Sibling Placement Considerations

A sibling relationship is often the longest-lasting bond in a child’s life. Whenever possible, placing siblings together helps preserve the family unit. Prioritizing sibling placement strengthens family bonds, promotes emotional stability, and enhances long-term well-being. When considering separation, child welfare professionals must assess the benefits and challenges of keeping siblings together and determine the best interests of each child. Special considerations apply to siblings who have experienced violence, chronic neglect, or other forms of abuse.

The Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008 mandates:

• Reasonable efforts to place siblings together unless it jeopardizes their safety or well-being.
• If siblings must be separated, frequent visitation or ongoing interaction must be facilitated unless it compromises their safety or well-being.

Key Factors in Placement Decisions

• Evaluate the emotional ties between siblings.
• Assess the potential harm caused by separation.
• Weigh the advantages and disadvantages of keeping siblings together.
• Consider both short-term and long-term effects of separation.
• If separation is necessary, ensure sibling bonds are maintained through alternative means.

Who is considered a sibling?

• A child who shares a birth or legal parent with another child, OR
• A child who has lived as a family with another child and identifies them as a sibling.

Frequency of Sibling Visitation

• In-person, weekly, unless the court decides otherwise.

Strategies to Maintain Sibling Bonds

• Place siblings with relatives who have relationships with each other.
• Ensure siblings are in close geographical proximity.
• Facilitate regular visits and additional contact through:
  • Mail, email, social media, virtual/video contact
  • Joint outings or shared summer programs
  • Joint respite care

 Separate Sibling Visitation Requirements

• If separation is approved, a plan for ongoing contact must be established and agreed upon by caregivers. If court-ordered visits do not begin within 72 hours after a shelter hearing, justification must be provided to the court. Judicial Review hearings must address sibling contact and efforts to reunite siblings.

Practical Benefits of Keeping Siblings Together

• Case Manager, GAL and service providers can attend to all the children in one location.
• Streamlines parental visits.
• Eliminates the need for separate sibling visitation arrangements.

Visits between parent and children are to occur separately from sibling visits.