Sibling placement in State care in England: an examination of the decision-making process and the views of children

在任何时候，英格兰都有80，000多名儿童和青少年接受国家护理（教育部，2020年），主要是由于遭受虐待或忽视，家庭功能失调，家庭处于严重困境或缺乏养育（Ofsted，2021年）。在许多情况下，需要照顾的不仅仅是一个孩子，而是一群兄弟姐妹。法律规定，地方当局必须确保将受照料的兄弟姐妹安置在一起，除非这不符合儿童的最大利益或不切实际（1989年《儿童法》）。各种国际研究表明，将兄弟姐妹放在一起对儿童的安置稳定性和结果，如永久性，儿童的心理健康和幸福感有积极影响（Hegar，2005; Jones，2016; Meakings，Sebba和Luke，2017;华盛顿，2007）。然而，目前关于兄弟姐妹分离程度的官方数据很少。最近的一项调查发现，在94%的有兄弟姐妹的儿童中，只有35%的人与他们（至少一个）生活在一起（Wijedasa，Yoon和Schmits，2021）。一些以前的国际研究已经确定了使兄弟姐妹在一起的因素，例如兄弟姐妹之间的年龄差距，他们进入护理的时间或安置的可用性（Drapeau等人，2000; Hegar，2005; Shlonsky等人，2003; Wulczyn &齐默尔曼，2005）。然而，在英国，很少有实证研究探讨了决策过程和影响因素的兄弟姐妹安置在照顾，即使它被认为是一个巨大的挑战，在该领域（儿童社会照料独立审查，2020年），该研究将重点放在决定-目的与研究问题本研究的目的是了解将兄弟姐妹安置在一起的决策过程以及障碍和促进因素。本研究旨在回答以下研究问题：1.将兄弟姐妹安置在一起的便利因素和障碍是什么？2.根据儿童的观点，可以提供哪些替代解决办法来解决兄弟姐妹在一起的问题？研究方法本研究提出一个解释性的、顺序的、混合方法的研究设计来解决研究问题。首先，将进行基于回顾性纵向设计的定量病例档案分析。这将提供一个详细的视图的促进者和障碍，把兄弟姐妹在一起。将使用个案档案和个案文件，如护理计划和儿童照顾审查，这是关于兄弟姐妹安置在照顾决策的正式记录。其次，将与受照料儿童进行访谈，以提供更深入的定性分析，了解儿童如何看待兄弟姐妹安置以及哪些替代解决方案可以成为兄弟姐妹安置决定的一部分。该研究旨在与英格兰西南部的两个地方当局合作。

At any one time more than 80,000 children and young people in England are in State care (Department for Education, 2020), mainly due to experiences of abuse or neglect, family dysfunction, the family being in acute distress or absent parenting (Ofsted, 2021). In many instances it is not just one child, but a group of siblings that is in need of a care placement. The law states that local authorities must ensure that siblings in care are placed together unless this is not in the best interest of a child or practicable ("Children Act," 1989). Various international studies have shown the positive effects of placing siblings together on placement stability and outcomes for children such as permanency, children's mental health and well-being (Hegar, 2005; Jones, 2016; Meakings, Sebba, & Luke, 2017; Washington, 2007). However, there is currently little official data about the extent of sibling separation. A recent survey found that of the 94% of children in care who had a sibling, only 35% lived with (at least one of) them (Wijedasa, Yoon, & Schmits, 2021). Some previous international research has identified factors that complicate placing siblings together such as the age-gap between siblings, their time of entering care or the placement availability (Drapeau et al., 2000; Hegar, 2005; Shlonsky, et al., 2003; Wulczyn & Zimmerman, 2005). However, in England, very few empirical studies have examined the decision-making process and the factors influencing sibling placement in care, even though it is recognised as one of the great challenges in the field (The independent review of children's social care, 2020) This study will focus on the decision-making process on sibling placement in care.Aim and research questionsThe aim of this research is to understand the decision-making process and the barriers and facilitatorsof placing siblings together in care. The study aims to answer the following research questions:1. What are the facilitators and barriers to placing siblings together in a care placement?2. What alternate solutions to placing siblings together can be provided based on children's perspectives?Methodological approachThis study proposes an explanatory, sequential, mixed-methods design to address the research questions. First a quantitative case file analysis, based on a retrospective longitudinal design, will be conducted. This will provide a detailed view of facilitators and barriers to placing siblings together. Case files and case documentation such as care plans and child looked after reviews will be used, which are the formal records of decision-making about sibling placement in care. Secondly, interviews with children in care will be conducted, to provide a more in-depth qualitative analyses of how children view siblings placement and what alternate solutions could become part of the sibling placement decision. The study aims to work with two local authorities in the South-West of England.