Sibs

We provide information and support on sibling issues for children and young people who have a brother or sister who is disabled, has special educational needs or a serious long-term condition.

Information and support for young siblings

Sibs has an online support service – YoungSibs – for children and young people under 18 who have a brother or sister who is disabled, has special educational needs or a serious long-term condition.

The key aims of our YoungSibs service are to:

• Improve siblings’ wellbeing
• Improve siblings’ understanding of disability, special educational needs and long-term conditions
• Provide siblings with coping strategies for dealing with sibling issues

Through the YoungSibs service siblings can:

• Get information about different disabilities, special educational needs and long-term conditions
• Get tips for dealing with their feelings and family life
• Get tips for coping with difficult sibling issues
• Chat to other siblings aged 6-17 on a safe moderated forum
• Get help with any sibling issue or question. The YoungSibs team reply to siblings with information or helpful ideas. They also help siblings get help from a parent or school or other service.

Siblings can use the YoungSibs service as often as they need to.

Information for young siblings about the YoungSibs service.

Information and support for adult siblings

Sibs has an online forum and resources for adult siblings aged 18 plus; runs workshops for adult siblings on future planning; provides phone support and advocacy around adult sibling issues.

Information and advice for parents on sibling issues

Sibs has a dedicated website section for parents on supporting siblings runs workshops for parents; provides phone and email support for parents.

Training and consultancy for service providers

Sibs provides training on running siblings groups; resources for siblings group leaders; workshops for professionals on supporting siblings; consultancy on developing local and national sibling support services.