Split Up in Care: Life Without Siblings 

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Split Up In Care - Life Without Siblings

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Split Up in Care: Life without Siblings

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Reporter Ashley John-Baptiste explores the separation of siblings by the UK care system.

Thousands of children have been separated from their brothers and sisters by the UK care system. Ashley John-Baptiste hears from those whose lives have been changed forever.

Ashley John-Baptiste is a BBC reporter who grew up in foster care and spent most of his life believing he was an only child. That is until his mid-20s, when he received a life-changing message. A man contacted him on social media telling him that he was his brother. 

As it was with Ashley, some children in care grow up completely unaware of their siblings. More common, however, are cases where looked-after children do know about their siblings – but are split up once in care. The law says they should stay together if it's safe and appropriate to do so, but around half of sibling groups in care in the UK are separated.

To find out why this is happening, Ashley hears from young people and children whose lives have been changed forever by the impact of separation.

In Derby, the director of children's social care explains to Ashley that councils are ‘close to the bone’ and allows him to join a new rapid response team that's just supported a family and sibling group to stay together. Amidst a shortage of foster carers, Ashley seeks advice from Debbie Bright from The Only Way Is Essex. She has looked after more than 200 children in 30 years and introduces Ashley to 23-year-old Bryleigh, who has recently become a foster carer herself.

A new law is Scotland is giving brothers and sisters in care more rights over their relationships than ever before. Ashley meets foster carer Karen in Fife, who has been instrumental in the changes and runs a farm where split-up siblings can come to rebuild their bonds. 

For the first time ever, cameras are allowed to capture the reunion of five siblings who are living separated and only see each other two hours every two months. As a part of his quest for answers, Ashley traces back one of his own social workers and uncovers revelatory news that will, once again, impact his life.

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