Sibling contact among Swedish children in foster and residential care—Out of home care in a family service system

Abstract

Abstract This article investigates sibling contact among Swedish fostered children in foster and residential care. The study also examines a potential link between sibling contact and psychosomatic status. Highly structured interviews were conducted with 240 young people (13–18 years) in out of home care. Results show unfulfilled desire for sibling contact among children in Swedish out-of-home care. Nearly 40% of the children interviewed see their siblings more seldom than monthly and a good half of the children—more girls than boys—want more sibling contact. The longer the time the children have spent in care, the greater is the risk of being without contact with brothers and sisters; and the more seldom the children see their siblings, the more they crave contact. The Swedish family service system is obviously no guarantee of fostered children keeping their desired contact with brothers and sisters. Thus, an important task for social workers and others involved in the life of separated children is to open opportunities for contact—if the children want it. From a children's rights perspective, it is fundamental to facilitate sibling contact among fostered children according to their own wishes.