Children split up from their siblings as they are put into foster care - plea for help from families

More than 3,000 children were separated from their brothers or sisters when they were placed in foster care in the last year, a charity has said. A third of children in the UK – 3,582 out of 11,082 – were split up from siblings from April last year to March this year, an investigation by charity Action For Children revealed.

Brighton and Hove City Council fostered 43 groups of siblings last year. Of the 97 children, 23 were separated from their brothers or sisters. The news has led to a recruitment drive from foster organisations eager to avoid family separation where possible in Sussex.

Blue Sky Fostering, a Portslade-based independent fostering agency, believes the South East needs 925 more foster homes for children. Chief executive Simon Lockyer, pictured, said: “We frequently have foster carers willing and able to provide loving homes for sibling groups, but often local authorities will first look for their own carers before contracting out to an independent provider. This can result in separating the children into different homes.

“In some circumstances some children may progress and overcome their trauma more successfully when placed separately from their siblings. But there is no doubt that in the majority of cases it can have very sad and negative consequences for children.”

Lisa and Neal, from Worthing, have been fostering for nine years and joined Blue Sky in July.

Lisa said: “It is a joy to foster children as you’re making a difference to children’s lives, helping children who may not have the same advantages as other children, and giving them opportunities. We were at a time in our lives where we were able to start fostering and it’s been very worthwhile.”

Neal said: “Foster parents will get a sense of satisfaction that they are making a difference. When you see them doing something successful, achieve something or even just have a new experience, you are rewarded with smiles. We like to think that even if a child is with you for one day they go away with an experience or memory that they can take away with them and keep forever.”

The company recently hosted a weekend for 120 foster carers and families at Combe Haven Holiday Park, Hastings.

Organiser Kim Scillitoe said “We always make sure we organise fun activities for foster carers and their families to acknowledge the hard work they put in throughout the year but this was our first weekend away.

“It’s important to have fun as fostering can be a demanding and sometimes stressful job.”

While the Foster Care Associates (FCA) said the size of a family and the size of the area are both factors.

David Oldham, chief executive of the FCA, said: “Wherever possible, we try to keep siblings together – the emotional impact that being separated from one another can have, combined with the change in environment, is one we endeavour to avoid.

“Fostering is an incredibly rewarding experience, and there are many factors that make up an ideal candidate – everything from being adaptable, resilient and nurturing to being a good listener and having a flexible response to a young person’s needs.

“Many of our prospective carers are parents whose children have left home, leaving them with the space and inclination to provide the care required to children and young people. We’d really like to talk to those with the capacity to support two and three children to minimise emotional distress to them.”

Meanwhile the Department of Education has said record numbers of children are being adopted in the South East – with 690 placed in homes this year compared with 540 last year.

It says as result of reforms and improvements to the system more children are being adopted quicker. But in Brighton and Hove adoption figures have dropped slightly since last year.

Figures show 30 children were adopted in 2010, but in 2011 and 2012 just 25 were adopted each year. The figure doubled last year with 50 adopted but decreased by ten this year, when 40 were adopted.

In East Sussex 30 were adopted in 2010, which rose by five in 2011, dropped to 20 in 2012, rose to 50 last year and rose to 55 this year.

In West Sussex 35 were adopted in 2010, 40 were given a home in 2011, this rose to 50 in 2012 but dropped to 35 last year. This year 50 children were adopted in the district. The British Association for Adoption and Fostering (BAAF), which supports local authorities and adoption agencies in Sussex and across the UK, welcomed the news.

A spokeswoman said: “It is good news about the number of adoptions but we still need more adopters to come forward, especially for sibling groups, older and disabled children. “People often tell us that, although it can be challenging, adopting their children has been the most rewarding thing they have ever done. “Adopters are needed from all walks of life. You can be married, single, gay or straight and you do not need to be under 40 or own your own home and we ask anyone who is thinking about it, take that first step and find out more information.”

In the last year the government has introduced new rules for how councils inform prospective adoptive parents, and has sought extra funding to support adopted children at school.

It also launched the First4Adoption information line.