Sibling placements in longitudinal perspective

Although research that focuses on sibling placements in foster care has increased in recent years, for the most part this research has focused on single samples from a point-in-time perspective. In this paper, we approach the matter of sibling placements with longitudinal data, differentiating between the notions of togetherness and intactness in order to describe the placement experiences of sibling groups. We generally found that, although siblings often enter care on the same day, they make up less than half the groups entering care. We also found that small sibling groups are more likely to be placed intact. So, too, are siblings placed with relatives. We also studied intactness over time. All told, when the movement between statuses is accounted for fully, more sibling groups were intact at 6 months as a percentage of children still in care than at the time of placement. Moreover, there is evidence that separated siblings who remain in care are sometimes brought together over time, sibling group size and placement type affect the likelihood that siblings are brought together, and children who follow their siblings into care are much less likely to be placed with a sibling compared to siblings that enter foster care on the same day.