SIBLINGS in York are more likely to remain together when placed into care than elsewhere in England, a new report shows.

The Family Rights Group (FRG) charity found that in York, 62 per cent of sibling groups in the care system were together as of July 1. The average in England is 50.5 percent.

But it is also revealed that 39 per cent of children in the city living in care are not with any of their brothers or sisters – two points above England’s average.

Howard Lovelady, of City of York Council’s Children’s Services, said: “We make every effort to ensure that sibling groups are able to stay together when coming into care, where appropriate.

“Moving into care is very unsettling for children and young people, however difficult their home life, and having the support of brothers and sisters can be a huge help in adjusting to their new arrangements, as well as making sense of previous experiences.”

FRG support families with children who require local authority services because of welfare concerns, and collected their data through Freedom of Information requests sent to every local authority in England.

Also bucking the trend is East Riding, where 69 per cent remain together, and only one fifth of children in care do not live with any of their siblings.

North Yorkshire County Council did not respond to the request for information, FRG said, but the average for siblings kept together in Yorkshire and Humberside is 49.2 percent.

Nina Biehal, Professor of Social Work at the University of York, said: “If they can stay together it’s often very good. In terms of being with their own family it gives them a sense of identity.

“I think in principle normally local authorities would try to keep sibling groups together but if it’s a very complex family it’s not always possible.”

Mr Lovelady added: “Our foster carers make every effort to find placements for siblings together and where this isn't practicable, they ensure regular contact takes place between siblings, even if there is a short term need for separate placements.”

More people are being urged to foster as the number of children coming into care rises, and around 13 per cent of foster carers retired or left the service last year.

Jackie Sanders, of The Fostering Network, said: “We urgently need people who have the right skills and qualities to foster to come forward and make a long lasting positive difference to the life of a child. In particular, foster carers are needed to provide homes for teenagers and children with disabilities, and to help sibling groups stay together.”