If you are brought into care, social work must look after you. An important part of looking after you is making sure your rights are respected. 

New laws for sisters and brothers apply in Scotland from 26 July 2021. The law says:

If you and your brother/sister are in care, you should be able to live together with the same carer or in the same home (if that’s safe). If your situation means it would be better for your safety and welfare to live near to each other than together, you should be able to do that.

Your local authority must support you to see your brothers and sisters regularly (if that’s safe).

Before your local authority makes any decisions about your brother or sister, you should be asked what you think and your views should be taken into account.

Your Children’s Hearings must always consider what arrangements are needed so you can see you sister/brother(s) if you’re not living with them.

You should be able to take part in your brother/sister’s Children’s Hearing when the panel is making decisions that will affect you seeing each other. You can ask a lawyer or an advocacy worker for help with this.

It is important to know that these rights for brothers and sisters are not only for people with the same parent(s) – they are also for people who have lived together (for example with the same foster carers) and feel just like siblings.

Everyone has the right to family life. The law protects this right. Relationships between brothers and sisters are an important part of the right to family life.  

Whenever anyone is making a decision about who you live with or spend time with, you have a right to tell them what you want to do. They must listen to you and take you seriously.  An advocate can help you say what you want. 

If you are not happy with a decision that has been made about who you live with or who you get to spend time with, you might be able to challenge the decision. A lawyer can give you more information about this.