Noticing the unutilized resource of siblinghood: Key conclusions from a scoping review about siblings in out-of-home placements

Background: Sibling bonds are often the most enduring relationship in an individual's life span. The out-of-home placement of siblings is widespread and may significantly influence children's journeys and wellbeing. Objective: The current scoping literature review was designed to characterize and analyze the existing knowledge regarding siblings in out-of-home placements. Method: Key databases were explored using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, which identified 33 studies relevant to the current study's focus. The studies used quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods and included a variety of out-of-home placement settings and sample characteristics. Results: Utilizing thematic analysis, the findings addressed three main themes: the sibling bond as a contributor to the wellbeing of children in out-of-home placements, trends in sibling placement, and difficulties in maintaining the sibling bond in out-of-home placements regarding micro, meso and exo factors. Conclusion: A key conclusion from the review is that the welfare system struggles to address a child as a part of a sibling group and an extensive and multilayered relational network; hence, siblinghood is an unutilized resource in out-of-home placements. Future directions for practice, policy and research are included and discussed.