Aldeas Infantiles SOS has requested this Monday that the joint reception of siblings be an «essential consideration» when planning foster care.
This was highlighted on the occasion of Siblings Day, which is celebrated this Thursday, April 10. In this regard, urgent measures have been called for so that public administrations adopt measures that guarantee the right of siblings to stay together in foster care.
Likewise, in the report ‘Siblings in Foster Care: Right to Always Grow Together’, Aldeas Infantiles SOS calls for «the full implementation of the right of siblings to stay together and share their childhood in case of separation from the family nucleus.» In this case, it warns that the separation of siblings «can only be considered acceptable when there are compelling reasons demonstrating that keeping them together is against their best interest.»
It also states that the decision on the «most appropriate» form of foster care should be made taking into account the opinion of the siblings. «Authorities and actors involved in foster care must be sensitive to the needs of siblings throughout the process, from the initial decision on placement to the end of the care,» it points out.
On the other hand, it calls for the availability of the «necessary» financial and human resources, as well as the «adequate» conditions to «facilitate the admission of groups of siblings and to work on their relationship during foster care.» It also demands the adoption of methods for collecting «reliable» data and statistics on sibling groups in the protection system.
According to Aldeas Infantiles SOS, professional competences to address sibling relationships should be part of the training plans for those responsible for their care, both in terms of qualifications and professional development.
UNIFIED STANDARDS IN ALL AUTONOMOUS COMMUNITIES
Likewise, it calls for unified standards in all autonomous communities on the «best practices» for the reception of children and adolescents, «which consider not separating siblings as a primary criterion when deciding on the ideal protection measure for them.»
In cases where siblings cannot stay together, Aldeas Infantiles SOS requests to ensure their right to «enjoy their siblinghood and maintain contact, regardless of the relationship established with their parents.»
However, Aldeas Infantiles SOS denounces the lack of official data on the number of children in the protection system who have been separated from their siblings, stating that this «prevents understanding the scope of the problem and hinders the adoption of appropriate measures to ensure their well-being.»
In Spain, nearly 52,000 children and adolescents are growing up in the protection system, according to the latest Bulletin of statistical data on child and adolescent protection measures from the Ministry of Youth and Childhood with information from 2023. 49% are in residential centers and 51% in foster care. Of the latter, 59% live with some member of their extended family, usually grandparents and uncles, and the rest with non-related families.
The study by Aldeas Infantiles SOS also includes testimonies from groups of siblings who have grown up together. This is the case of Lourdes, 24 years old, who emphasizes that having her sisters was «a great support» and adds that, thanks to them, the adaptation was «much easier.» «That’s why I believe it is essential for siblings in foster care to grow up together. Because they are experiencing the same thing as you, they understand you like no one else, and having someone to rely on changes everything,» she states.
Aldeas Infantiles SOS provided a protective family environment last year to 1,310 children and adolescents who had lost parental care, ensuring that siblings can grow up together.
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