What is (Sibling) Kinship Care?

What is sibling kinship care?

Sibling kinship care is when an older brother or sister takes on the main caring responsibility for a younger sibling because their parent or parents are unable to care for them.

It is a form of kinship care, sometimes called family and friends care, where a child lives with someone they already know and trust rather than with an unrelated foster carer (Department for Education, 2024). Sibling relationships are often some of the longest relationships we have. They can be complicated, involving arguments, rivalry and disagreements, but they can also provide important emotional support, companionship and protection, particularly when children experience difficult circumstances (Abramovitch et al., 1979; Argent, 2009).

When parents are unable to care for their children, an older sibling may step forward to care for their younger brother or sister and help keep the family together.

Why do siblings become carers?

There are many reasons why a child may no longer be able to live safely or consistently with their parent or parents. These can include:

·      the death of a parent

·      parental illness or mental health difficulties

·      drug or alcohol dependency

·      domestic abuse

·      neglect or abuse

·      parental imprisonment

·      abandonment

·      other circumstances that mean a parent is unable to provide care (Department for Education, 2011; Hunt et al., 2008).

Sibling caregiving itself is not a new phenomenon. Research has shown that older children have historically taken on caring responsibilities for younger brothers and sisters, particularly within families experiencing financial or social difficulties (Abramovitch et al., 1979; Weisner & Gallimore, 1977). However, there is an important difference between helping to care for a younger sibling and becoming their main carer. Sibling kinship care involves an older sibling taking on significant, often long-term responsibility for a younger dependent sibling.

Why can staying together matter?

When children cannot remain with their parents, staying within their family and existing relationships can provide an important sense of familiarity, continuity and identity.

Children may benefit from remaining connected to people who already know them, their history and their family relationships. Placement within a child's existing family and social network can help maintain important relationships and connections to their identity, culture and community (Swann & Sylvester, 2006; Department for Education, 2011). Sibling relationships can be particularly important during times of crisis. Brothers and sisters may have experienced the same family difficulties and can provide each other with a sense of familiarity and shared history.

For some children, remaining together with an older sibling may therefore provide an important source of stability at a time when many other things in their lives are changing. The importance of maintaining sibling relationships is recognised within children's social care. Decisions about where children should live must, however, consider the individual needs, welfare and safety of each child (Children Act 1989; Department for Education, 2010).

What is kinship care?

Kinship care is when a child lives with a relative, friend or another person who is connected to them, rather than living with their parent. Kinship carers can include grandparents, brothers and sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins, family friends and other people who have an established relationship with the child (Department for Education, 2024). The term family and friends care is also used. The Department for Education's current statutory guidance recognises a range of arrangements in which children are cared for by relatives, friends or other connected people (Department for Education, 2024). A brother or sister is specifically recognised as a family and friends carer where they are caring for a child who cannot be cared for by their birth parents (GOV.UK, 2026).

What makes sibling kinship care different?

Sibling kinship care is different from many other forms of kinship care because the person becoming the carer is the child's brother or sister. An older sibling may already have a close relationship with their younger brother or sister. However, becoming their main carer can change that relationship. An older sibling may suddenly be responsible for things such as:

·      arranging appointments

·      communicating with schools and professionals

·      managing household responsibilities

·      making decisions about everyday care

·      supporting their younger sibling emotionally

·      dealing with financial and practical issues

·      navigating children's social care and legal processes.

This can be a significant change in the life of an older sibling. They may be trying to support a younger brother or sister while also starting work, education, relationships and other aspects of adult life. Research into sibling caregiving has highlighted how caring responsibilities can sometimes affect education, social activities and the older sibling's own experience of growing up (Weisner & Gallimore, 1977).

Formal and informal sibling kinship care

Sibling kinship care can take different forms, and the legal position can vary depending on the circumstances. Some children are formally placed with an older sibling by the local authority. This may be through a kinship fostering arrangement, where the sibling is assessed and approved as a foster carer (Department for Education, 2024). Other children may live with an older sibling under a legal order, such as a Child Arrangements Order or Special Guardianship Order. A Special Guardianship Order can provide a child with a stable, long-term home while maintaining their legal relationship with their birth family (Children Act 1989; Cafcass, 2026). There are also families where an older sibling cares for a younger sibling without a formal legal order. The distinction between formal and informal kinship care can be complicated, and the support available can depend on the child's legal status and the type of arrangement in place (Selwyn & Nandy, 2013; Department for Education, 2024).

If you are caring for a younger sibling, it is important to understand what your legal position is and what support you may be entitled to.

What age does a sibling have to be?

The age at which someone is legally an adult varies across the UK. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, adulthood is generally recognised from age 18, while in Scotland the age of majority is 16. However, becoming a sibling kinship carer is not simply about reaching a particular birthday. Each situation is different, and decisions about who can care for a child will depend on the circumstances, the needs and safety of the children, and any legal arrangements that are in place.

For example, in England, a person applying to become a Special Guardian must be over 18 (GOV.UK, 2026). If you are an older sibling caring for a younger brother or sister, you can ask your local authority, a social worker or a specialist kinship organisation for advice about your circumstances.

What can sibling kinship care mean for the older sibling?

Becoming responsible for a younger sibling can be a huge life change.

An older sibling may experience many different emotions, including love, pride, grief, anger, worry, responsibility or exhaustion. They may also feel that they have had to grow up more quickly than their friends. There can be practical challenges too. Caring responsibilities may affect education, employment, housing, finances, relationships and social activities. It is important that sibling carers are recognised as people with their own needs, rights and lives, rather than only being viewed in terms of the care they provide. Where a young person has caring responsibilities, professionals should consider whether those responsibilities are inappropriate or excessive and whether they are affecting the young person's wellbeing, education, relationships or development (Care Act 2014; Department of Health and Social Care, 2025).

Sibling carers need support too

Becoming a sibling carer does not mean that you should have to manage everything on your own. Sibling kinship carers may need support with:

·      understanding their legal rights

·      financial support

·      housing

·      education or employment

·      accessing health services

·      working with social workers and other professionals

·      supporting their younger sibling's emotional wellbeing

·      maintaining important family relationships

·      looking after their own wellbeing.

Kinship carers can be entitled to different forms of support depending on their circumstances and the legal arrangement in place (Department for Education, 2024). Being a sibling carer is a significant responsibility, and sibling carers deserve to be recognised and supported.

You are not alone

If you are an older brother or sister caring for a younger sibling, or you think you may need to take on this role, you may have lots of questions about what happens next. You may be wondering:

·      What are my rights as a sibling carer?

·      What financial support could I receive?

·      What happens if social services become involved?

·      Who can help me make decisions about my younger sibling?

·      What legal options are available?

·      Can my younger sibling stay living with me?

·      What support is available for me?

·      Where can I meet other people who understand what I am experiencing?

These are important questions, and you deserve clear information and support.

Sibling kinship care is about more than a legal arrangement or a care placement. It is about siblings, family, relationships and trying to stay together through difficult circumstances.

At Sibling Kinship, we believe sibling carers and the children they care for should be understood, listened to and supported.

Sources and further reading

Abramovitch, R., Corter, C., & Lando, B. (1979). Sibling interaction in the home. Child Development.

Argent, H. (2009). Staying Put: Tackling Unnecessary Placement Moves for Children in Care. London: Family Rights Group.

Bowie, F. (2004). Cross-Cultural Approaches to Adoption. Routledge.

Children Act 1989. Legislation concerning children, parental responsibility, care proceedings and arrangements for children.

Department for Education (2010). Children Act 1989: Care Planning, Placement and Case Review – Volume 2. Statutory guidance. GGOV.UK

Department for Education (2011). Children Act 1989: Family and Friends Care. Statutory guidance for local authorities. GGOV.UK

Department for Education (2024). Kinship Care: Statutory Guidance for Local Authorities. This is the current statutory guidance for local authorities in England and sets out expectations around support for children in kinship care and kinship carers. GGOV.UK+1

Dew, A., Llewellyn, G., & Gorman, D. (2004). Having a child with a disability: A family perspective.

Elgar, F. J., & Head, J. (1999). Research concerning sibling relationships and children in care.

Farmer, E., & Moyers, S. (2006). Children Placed with Family and Friends: Placement Patterns and Outcomes. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.

Farmer, E., & Moyers, S. (2008). Kinship Care: Fostering Effective Family and Friends Placements. Jessica Kingsley Publishers.

Hunt, J., Waterhouse, S., & McDermid, S. (2008). Understanding Family and Friends Care: The Relationship Between Need, Support and Legal Status.

Selwyn, J., & Nandy, S. (2013). Kinship care in the UK and the relationship between legal status, support and outcomes.

Swann, C. A., & Sylvester, M. S. (2006). The foster care crisis and kinship care.

Weisner, T. S., & Gallimore, R. (1977). My brother's keeper: Child and sibling caretaking.