Some memories will be happy, some will be painful. Each siblings’ memories of their past can be expressed differently depending on their ages. Sharing, clarifying and holding memories with siblings helps strengthen long-term relationships.
Linking lives: Helping siblings living apart to be connected
A practical tool for practitioners to promote sibling connections
Relationships with siblings can be among the most important and long-lasting. Build sibling connections through opportunities to make and share
- Encouraging shared interests/ recreational activities (e.g. sport, movies)
- Organising meet ups or sleepovers and spending school holidays together
- Communicating through video calls, text messages, social media, online gaming, emails and letters
- Celebrating special occasions together (e.g. birthdays, Diwali, Christmas)
- Sharing cultural activities (e.g. foods, language, celebrating cultural days of significance)
Practitioners, carers and adopters play an important role in assisting children to develop their social convoy and in linking their lives to loved ones, so that they can go through the journey of life with strong networks and supports. This should follow an assessment of suitability and safety.
This resource has been produced by Adoption England. This resource is based on a series developed by the research Centre for Children & Families, Sydney School of Education & Social Work and the ARC Linkage Project Fostering Lifelong Connections for Children in Permanent Care.