Ky.gov
Effective: 7/25/2022

13.9 Sibling Relationship Decisions

Legal Authority

Introduction

​​​​​​Case decisions involving the separation of siblings in out-of-home care (OOHC) are reviewed thoughtfully and carefully.  These situations are thoroughly considered from the onset of the case or any circumstance precipitating the need to separate siblings.  Once termination of parental rights (TPR) has been granted and at the time of adoption, it may be necessary to evaluate the need to permanently separate siblings.  In this event there should be documentation supporting efforts to reunify the siblings over the life of the case, the exhaustion of such efforts, and documentation to support the permanent separation for the child(ren) to achieve permanency.   

Practice Guidance

  • The decision to separate siblings is based on thorough review and documentation of each case. 
  • Diligent efforts to reunite siblings separated in foster care are made as soon as possible. 
  • The SSW, the adoptive review committee, and the Kentucky Adoption Profile Exchange (KAPE) specialist make every effort to place siblings together for adoption unless serious, specific needs of one (1) or more of the siblings justifies the separation.​

Procedure

​​​The SSW:

  1. After following the procedures in SOP 4.20 Sibling Contact, completes the Sibling Separation Memo​ for consideration of permanent sibling separation;

  2. Includes in the memo the nature and frequency of future contact among separated siblings.  The SSW and recruitment and certification (R&C) worker should discuss the importance of future sibling contact and encourage adoptive parents to continue sibling contact after adoption is finalized; 1
  3. Submits the memo to the service region administrator (SRA) or designee; and

  4. Ensures that a copy of the memo is included in the child(ren)'s presentation summary packet.

The SRA or designee:
  1. Responds to the sibling separation request in a memorandum to appropriate staff within ten (10) working days of receipt. 

When sibling separation is approved: 
  1. ​A planning committee shall convene annually for siblings in OOHC who remain separated to determine if reunification is possible and to develop a plan for maintaining sibling connections;
  2. The committee may include the following: 
    1. ​SRA or designee identified as the permanency lead;
    2. SSW;
    3. FSOS;
    4. Child Focused Recruitment Model (CFRM) recruiter and/or FSOS;
    5. R&C FSOS; 
    6. Regional foster/adoption specialist;
    7. Foster parents, private child-placing agency (PCP) foster parents, and staff;
    8. KAPE specialists; and
    9. Other appropriate persons, including therapists, etc.
  3. If the child is registered with KAPE, the SSW or CFRM recruiter, if assigned, should update the child(ren)'s presentation summary packet and forward a copy to the Division of Financial Management (DAFM) Records Management Section, when the separation occurs and yearly.  Adoption Services Branch when separation occur s
  4. The assigned KAPE specialist should be notified when siblings who are registered with KAPE have an approved sibling separation memo request so that the website can be updated accordingly.  2

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Footnotes

;
  1. If there are concerns that contact may not be in the best interest of the siblings, consultation with a mental health treatment provider should be sought.  
  2. New photographs are required if the children are registered with KAPE.
​

Documents

Revisions

​7/25  Addition: 

Introduction

Case decisions involving the separation of siblings in out-of-home care (OOHC) are reviewed thoughtfully and carefully.  These situations are thoroughly considered from the onset of the case or any circumstance precipitating the need to separate siblings.  Once termination of parental rights (TPR) has been granted and at the time of adoption, it may be necessary to evaluate the need to permanently separate siblings.  In this event there should be documentation supporting efforts to reunify the siblings over the life of the case, the exhaustion of such efforts, and documentation to support the permanent separation for the child(ren) to achieve permanency.   

​

The SSW:

  1. After following the procedures in SOP 4.20 Sibling Contact, completes the Sibling Separation Memo​ for consideration of permanent sibling separation;

  2. Includes in the memo the nature and frequency of future contact among separated siblings.  The SSW and recruitment and certification (R&C) worker should discuss the importance of future sibling contact and encourage adoptive parents to continue sibling contact after adoption is finalized; 1
  3. Submits the memo to the service region administrator (SRA) or designee; and

  4. Ensures that a copy of the memo is included in the child(ren)'s presentation summary packet.

The SRA or designee:
  1. Responds to the sibling separation request in a memorandum to appropriate staff within ten (10) working days of receipt. 

Footnotes

;
  1. If there are concerns that contact may not be in the best interest of the siblings, consultation with a mental health treatment provider should be sought.  
  2. New photographs are required if the children are registered with KAPE.
​