We are family

Taking decisions about separating or keeping groups of brothers and sisters together is one of the most challenging tasks facing child care social workers today. They must try to balance a whole range of competing needs and perspectives, while struggling to find suitable placements. This anthology brings together findings from a range of recent and ongoing research studies, together with the first-hand accounts of siblings, adopters and professionals to offer an evidence-base for these complex decisions.

Individual practitioners are aware of the enormity of the decisions they take about separation and contact but current practice is nevertheless ad hoc, resource led and adult centred. As a result, permanence typically involves separation from siblings. There is no consistent legislative or policy framework in place and "practice wisdom" has not kept pace with research.

In fact, very little is really known about siblings. We lack clear-cut definitions and we fail to keep track of siblings once separation has taken place or to ask children which other children matter to them. Gaps in the files mean that children may never be able to find one another later on and closed adoption still makes this impossible for many. Yet we learn from adults who lost siblings to adoption in childhood that this can mean a lifetime of pain and searching.

The conclusion offers many concrete suggestions for improving policy and practice, by no means all of which need involve extra cost. Social work managers and practitioners will find in this comprehensive volume much valuable food for thought and answers to some of the dilemmas they face on a daily basis.

An illuminating survey of the issues and a major contribution to existing literature on child placement childRIGHT

Excellent value...for such quality.
Fergus Smith, Director Children Act Enterprises