PRESS RELEASE- New legislation to keep brothers and sisters connected in care
Right to maintain contact with siblings to be strengthened in law for children in care via amendment to Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill.
The UK government has announced new legislation aimed at strengthening the rights of children in care to stay connected with their brothers and sisters.
Under the proposed changes to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, local authorities in England and Wales will be required to actively promote and facilitate contact between siblings who are separated in care.
Why This Matters
Sibling relationships play a vital role in a child’s life, offering emotional support, stability, and a sense of identity, particularly during the uncertainty of entering care.
However, current systems have not always prioritised these relationships, with many children experiencing long-term separation from their siblings.
What Will Change
The new legislation will:
Place sibling contact on a similar footing to parental contact
Require local authorities to do everything possible to maintain these relationships
Include half and step-siblings within these protections
Apply unless contact is not in the child’s best interests, such as in cases of risk or harm
Strengthening Safeguarding Practice
This change forms part of wider reforms to improve outcomes for children in care, recognising that maintaining family relationships is key to long-term wellbeing.
At RLB Safeguarding Ltd, we welcome this step forward. Ensuring children remain connected to their siblings is not just good practice, it is essential to supporting emotional resilience and stability for some of the most vulnerable children.
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