The charity bringing lost brothers and sisters back together

Witnessing the pain and trauma felt by brothers and sisters torn apart by the care system inspired foster carer Karen Morrison to reunite and foster the bonds between siblings in care through her charity STAR: Siblings Reunited.

Based on a farm in Cupar, Fife, STAR offers a safe space for estranged siblings to reconnect and make positive

family memories, whether through planting vegetables, cooking meals outdoors, tending to animals or simply watching a film together.

“It’s heartbreaking. In many cases, these siblings are the only family each other has,” said Karen, 46.

“Then suddenly they’re split up and don’t know if their brothers or sisters are OK or even where they are.

It’s clear to see the stress and anxiety caused by that separation. They carry the weight of the world on their shoulders.”

Karen believes more must be done to protect the rights of siblings placed in care and that enabling consistent contact with siblings should be prioritised.

“I’d like to see more rights for looked-after siblings in care because, at the moment, they have none.

“When children get separated, whether in foster care, kinship care or adoption, each child has separate hearings and LAC (Looked-After Child) reviews.

“Important decisions about that child’s future can be made at these hearings but their brothers and sisters are not party to that, so will be completely unaware of any decisions made.

“If a court has ordered parent contact once a week, it’s going to happen, but if a panel suggests monthly contact with brothers and sisters, there’s no legal obligation for this to take place, and this can lead to contact between siblings being fraught and inconsistent.”