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Children and Young Persons Bill [HL]

We moved a similar amendment in Grand Committee on the basis that stable relationships and family ties reinforce a sense of belonging and trust, which are among the rarest and most necessary features of a child’s experience in care. The Care Matters White Paper reported that consultation with children and young people highlighted the importance of not separating siblings without a full assessment both of their views and of the implications of separation. I was reassured by the Minister in Grand Committee that the legislative framework to promote sibling contact already exists, through the Children Act 1989 as well as the Arrangements for Placement of Children (General) Regulations 1991, although I was concerned when he said: "““We recognise, however, that practice may often fall short of these legal requirements””.—[Official Report, 14/1/08; col. GC 405.]" I was also struck in Grand Committee by the comments of the noble Baroness, Lady Howarth of Breckland, who said that she felt exasperation that amendments on contact with siblings had to be tabled and felt that enough legislation was already on the statute book. We could all say amen to that. Will the Minister therefore say a little more about the integrated children’s system and the need to record contact arrangements with siblings, as well as on the practicalities involved? What will happen if it does not happen?