Do siblings still get contact when they are split for adoption?

[leclerc]

OK, I could ask this of professionals but I detest and despise them so instead choose to ask on the forum since clearly if someone who is a professional is on here, I don't have to dig up all their info from the web(yes I would if I felt I needed to ).

I know from case law on here that if one child is put up in long term placement order and the other has an adoption order then once the adoption is finalised then clearly the child in long term foster care is more than likely to never see their sibling again until they reach maturity based on the confidential nature of, what we have in this country generally, which is closed adoption.

My question relates to when two siblings are both under an adoption order but are separated(cos it's easier to have one adopted than two together) have contact with each other despite having no contact with their birth family?

I won't go into the details personally but there is an increase in social services seeking court orders and a lack of places for those children to go to so the question may come up in the future.....

[Kati]

Re: Do siblings still get contact when they are split for adoption?

I'm not on my laptop at the minute [MENTION=8640]leclerc[/MENTION] ... but I'm sure I'll have the relevant info on there and will post it up in the morning

In the meantime ... I know from experience (a relative had some of their children put into long term foster care years ago) that most SS departments do TRY to keep contact between siblings if they are of an age to understand - except in cases where contact would be detrimental to the health and wellbeing of the children.

K xx

[Kati]

Re: Do siblings still get contact when they are split for adoption?

Hi [MENTION=8640]leclerc[/MENTION] ... I've been having a dig around this morning and I've come across a couple of files and websites (that I'll link to here). It does seem as though siblings, when adopted separately are actively encouraged to keep in contact with each other - either via direct meetings or through "letterbox contact"

(http://www.publications.parliament.u.../127/12711.htm):

Practice in relation to post-adoption contact with birth family members varies considerably. We are concerned that the purpose of such contact may not be fully understood when arrangements are made. Post-adoption contact should be considered only in relation to the needs and best interests of the child, with no presumption for or against allowing contact.

The BAAF (http://www.baaf.org.uk/info/adoption#contact) has lots of information:

There will be unique arrangements for each individual child which may mean direct contact for some children with various members of their birth family, including grandparents and brothers and sisters who may be placed elsewhere. Sometimes there will also be contact with birth parents - if this is best for the child.

As does Adoption UK (http://www.adoptionuk.org/resources/.../types-contact):

Contact varies depending on the situations of all involved.
The contact can be with either, or both, birth parents, with grandparents or with other relatives. When a child is adopted separately from any birth siblings, contact arrangements may be put in place in order for the siblings to stay in touch.

Sibling contact post-adoption takes the children's needs into account and contact is based entirely on what is best for each particular child

K x

[leclerc]

Re: Do siblings still get contact when they are split for adoption?

I am going to add something to this....

Here is a link to Action For Children article about siblings being separated within foster care and the potential outcomes that it can present. http://www.actionforchildren.org.uk/...lings-together

[MissFM]

Re: Do siblings still get contact when they are split for adoption?

An addition I would like to make is that - with both the above and with the modern movement from nuclear families to single parent families with multiple genetic parents there is an increased likelihood that, upon reaching physical maturity, people will meet and fall in love with siblings or half siblings, without any idea of why the compelling attraction.