An intensive assessment of a small sample of siblings placed together in foster care.

This case-based study centred on ways of examining the nature and significance of
sibling relationships for children unable to live with their families of origin, and where
decisions about permanency of placement were being considered. The multifaceted
nature of the problem being studied necessitatedth e use of data from different sources,
in the context of an overall psychoanalytic approach.
Detailed information about the children's histories, their present circumstances
and the dynamics of the professional network provided an understanding of the
complex personal, legal and child care context surrounding each case.
Psychotherapeutica ssessmentps rovided more detailed information about the emotional
needs of each child and a perspective on their relationship with each other.
The analysis of the data allowed for in-depth assessmentso f the children seen
and formed the basis for recommendationst o Social Services. The assessmenrte ports
also facilitated the identification of themes, which highlighted the impact of cumulative
experiences of trauma, separation and loss shared by all the children in different ways.
The difficulties in identifying and acknowledging the children's distress and
emotional needs was linked to anxieties within the professional network. The
importance of disentangling those anxieties, accessing the children's perspectives and
considering the children's shared experiences and meaning for each other was
emphasized and the implications for training, practice and policy were discussed. This
study proposesa n assessmenmt odel for considering the sibling dimension to facilitate
more informed decision-making in child care cases.

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