New legislation will require councils to ensure siblings in care remain in contact.

The amendment to Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill was confirmed on Wednesday and will see that sibling contact and parental contact for children in care are treated as equal priorities.

Councils will be responsible for promoting the maintenance of relationships between siblings cared for in separate placements, with the aim of improving the quality of life of vulnerable children.

In an announcement published yesterday, the Government highlights the importance of sibling relationships as a source of ‘stability, continuity and emotional support’, and emphasised the enduring negative impacts of the loss of sibling contact due to care placements.

It confirmed that the change will also apply to half and step siblings, as well as mandating that local authorities work to facilitate the contact regardless of whether the siblings live a long way from each other.

Exceptions to the move will apply if it is determined that the child will be negatively impacted by the contact, due to concerns such as violence, abuse, or wellbeing impacts flagged by social workers.

Children’s Minister Josh MacAlister said: ‘It’s a travesty that children in care can end up losing contact with their brothers and sisters when they go into care, and we want that contact to be maintained wherever possible for the sake of their emotional stability and their futures.’

Anela Anwar, Chief Executive of Become, added: ‘Too often, children are separated from their brothers and sisters, with little done to maintain those relationships. This change will strengthen duties on local authorities to keep siblings connected and better protect these vital bonds.’