The significance of sibling relationships for children and young people in out-of-home care is well documented by national and international scholars (Luu, Conley Wright, & Cashmore, 2020). These relationships offer an opportunity for children to experience relational permanence (Mitchell, Tucci, & Macnamara, 2020) when they cannot live at home. The sibling relationship may be one of the only lasting connections that children and young people in out-of-home care have access to, in light of what is known about instability and disruption in placements (McPherson, Gatwiri, Macnamara, Mitchell, & Tucci, 2018).

This research brief will:

• examine what we know about sibling placement in Australia
• present highlights from the international research on siblings
• explore findings about ways to support siblings in out-of-home care
• apply a trauma lens to placement decision making
• consider research and practice implications.