Stand Up For Siblings has welcomed the announcement made by the Minister for Children and Young People, Maree Todd MSP, today.
Earlier today the Minister announced that there are plans to make improvements to the law for brothers and sisters who are in the care system. The law is to be strengthened in relation to keeping brothers and sisters together when they are placed in local authority care when it is in their interest to do so.
The changes will also result in siblings being on an equal footing with parents in relation to promoting personal relations, meaning that there will be a duty on local authorities to take steps to promote personal relations and contact between brothers and sisters when a child is in care.
Dr Christine Jones, of University of Strathclyde and Co-Founder of Stand Up For Siblings said: “We’re delighted by the announcement by the Minister today, along with all our partners in the Stand Up For Siblings coalition.
“These proposals represent real progress towards protecting the rights and promoting the wellbeing of brothers and sisters in care.
“We created Stand Up For Siblings as we believe that if we all work together, we can make a real difference to the lives of children and young people and can influence the law, policy and practice around this issue.
“We will continue to work together to take forward and build on this exciting development and invite others to join us in this work.”