hello, this is bbc news. the headlines... more countries are urging their citizens to leave ukraine immediately. the us warns that russia could invade within days. the uk's ministerfor armed forces says the situation is escalating. you this risks escalating in a way thatis you this risks escalating in a way that is really quite terrifying, this is the largest concentration of troops on the european continent in 70 years. the prime minister boris johnson receives a legal questionnaire from police investigating lockdown parties at downing street and whitehall. large numbers of people have defied an injunction against the protests in the canadian

province of ontario. ashleyjohn—baptiste is a bbc reporter who grew up in foster care and spent most of his life believing he was an only child. that is until his mid—20s, when he received a life—changing message. now on bbc news he explores the seperation of siblings by the uk care system. i can't even remember the first post i can't even remember the first post i mine lived in because i was so young. —— might be first foster home i lived in. i came into care at age two and did not leave until 18. i always wondered whether i was considered for adoption and never had the courage to ask about it as a kid. it's really hard to describe what it felt like to be put between five different terms between the age of 18. it felt like being under a cloud of rejection, like no sense of family, no sense of longing. what

happens in my mid to late 20s and i'm still coming to terms with my own childhood, i get a message from a man on facebook who tells me that he's my brother. it was completely crazy because for a long time, i thought that i was kind of isolators in terms of family, that i didn't have anyone, but i've got a brother, that's life changing. i find it difficult to understand that no one told me i had siblings while i was in care. there is one person who might hold some answers. 0h, in care. there is one person who might hold some answers. oh, my days. roselyn! rosalynn was my social worker between the ages of 15 and 18. a few years ago, i had a brother get in touch with me.

really? brother get in touch with me. reall ? . brother get in touch with me. really?- from - brother get in touch with me. really?- from where? i brother get in touch with me. really?- from where? really? yeah. from where? he spoke to me on facebook. _ really? yeah. from where? he spoke to me on facebook. who? _ really? yeah. from where? he spoke to me on facebook. who? my - really? yeah. from where? he spoke to me on facebook. who? my dad's i to me on facebook. who? my dad's site. i to me on facebook. who? my dad's site- i can't — to me on facebook. who? my dad's site. i can't talk _ to me on facebook. who? my dad's site. i can't talk to _ to me on facebook. who? my dad's site. i can't talk to you _ to me on facebook. who? my dad's site. i can't talk to you about - site. i can't talk to you about this, man, idon�*t site. i can't talk to you about this, man, i don't know why i feel emotional. flipping hell. i had to... so, basically, on my dad's site, i've got at least four siblings were all older than me. was there any information in my files about me having siblings? ha. there any information in my files about me having siblings? no. not to my knowledge- _ about me having siblings? no. not to my knowledge. files _ about me having siblings? no. not to my knowledge. files and _ about me having siblings? no. not to my knowledge. files and information| my knowledge. files and information gathering is coming own way. obviously, back in the day, we had paper files, obviously, back in the day, we had paperfiles, now it obviously, back in the day, we had paper files, now it is electronic and i think sometimes families don't always tell is what we want to know at the time and that happens quite a lot where family members withhold information. lot where family members withhold information-— information. speaking to roslyn about my siblings _ information. speaking to roslyn about my siblings proper- information. speaking to roslyn | about my siblings proper another part of my past which i've always wanted to know about. was i ever considered for adoption? i know it's

a big question and you don't have to answer it if you don't know. you might- -- — answer it if you don't know. you might- -- i _ answer it if you don't know. you might... mau— answer it if you don't know. you might... iwilltell_ answer it if you don't know. you might... i will tell you _ answer it if you don't know. 7m might... i will tell you what i know but you might not want to know. i think you were. from what i can remember, you were, but i think they fell pregnant. and then they pulled out. ., �* ., ., ve , fell pregnant. and then they pulled out-— very. very i out. ooh. at what age? very, very ounu. out. ooh. at what age? very, very young. 0h. — out. ooh. at what age? very, very young- oh. my _ out. ooh. at what age? very, very young. oh, my god. _ out. ooh. at what age? very, very young. oh, my god. you _ out. ooh. at what age? very, very young. oh, my god. you didn't - out. ooh. at what age? very, very l young. oh, my god. you didn't know that? did not — young. oh, my god. you didn't know that? did not know— young. oh, my god. you didn't know that? did not know that. _ young. oh, my god. you didn't know that? did not know that. you - that? did not know that. you wouldn't _ that? did not know that. you wouldn't. if _ that? did not know that. you wouldn't. if you _ that? did not know that. you wouldn't. if you like - that? did not know that. you wouldn't. if you like your - that? did not know that. you - wouldn't. if you like your narrative in life and identity _ wouldn't. if you like your narrative in life and identity does _ wouldn't. if you like your narrative in life and identity does not - wouldn't. if you like your narrative | in life and identity does not belong to you. the fact that you could have been adopted, the fact that you could have siblings but no unnecessarily tells you they are there, ijust feel like everybody wants to know who they are, everybody wants to know who they are connected to. find everybody wants to know who they are connected t0-— everybody wants to know who they are connected te— everybody wants to know who they are connected to-— connected to. and i agree. i think in social care. _ connected to. and i agree. i think in social care, that's _ connected to. and i agree. i think in social care, that's what - connected to. and i agree. i think in social care, that's what you - connected to. and i agree. i think. in social care, that's what you want for your young person as well, you don't want any young person to come out and be like, well, what happened

there? i've no idea what happened in there? i've no idea what happened in the last ten years. that's not what you want and it's not like we come into this role. i’m you want and it's not like we come into this role.— into this role. i'm feeling shattered _ into this role. i'm feeling shattered after _ into this role. i'm feeling shattered after that - into this role. i'm feeling | shattered after that chat. into this role. i'm feeling i shattered after that chat. it into this role. i'm feeling - shattered after that chat. it was great to see roselyn but even just talking to her for ten great to see roselyn but even just talking to herfor ten minutes, i see how many unanswered issues there are as it pertains to my time in care but it now makes me think that there are so many siblings in the system who are estranged from relatives and they are not getting the support that they need. the more you move, the more you... because you'rejust you move, the more you... because you're just letting you move, the more you... because you'rejust letting me know i'm make it in care. �* ., , .,, you'rejust letting me know i'm make itincare. ., , it in care. and more people don't care about _ it in care. and more people don't care about you. _ it in care. and more people don't care about you. ten _ it in care. and more people don't care about you. ten years - it in care. and more people don't care about you. ten years ago, i it in care. and more people don't - care about you. ten years ago, when i started out — care about you. ten years ago, when i started out as _ care about you. ten years ago, when i started out as a _ care about you. ten years ago, when i started out as a journalist, - care about you. ten years ago, when i started out as a journalist, i - i started out as a journalist, i spoke to a guy called jerome who grew up in care and he said he was split from a brother so we've now become mates, i want to catch up with him and see what he has to say about the issue and i'm just hoping

he can relate to what i'm going through at the moment. welcome to my humble abode- — through at the moment. welcome to my humble abode. you _ through at the moment. welcome to my humble abode. you have _ through at the moment. welcome to my humble abode. you have got _ through at the moment. welcome to my humble abode. you have got a - through at the moment. welcome to my humble abode. you have got a slit - through at the moment. welcome to my humble abode. you have got a slit in - humble abode. you have got a slit in our humble abode. you have got a slit in your eyebrow- _ humble abode. you have got a slit in your eyebrow. matters _ humble abode. you have got a slit in your eyebrow. matters a _ humble abode. you have got a slit in your eyebrow. matters a decade - humble abode. you have got a slit in your eyebrow. matters a decade old| your eyebrow. matters a decade old swag. jerome now works with children in care and has reconnected with his brother. when i spoke to ten years ago, you told me about your brother who, at the time, was in prison. how is he now? he who, at the time, was in prison. how is he now?— is he now? he is out. white might brilliant. you _ is he now? he is out. white might brilliant. you like _ is he now? he is out. white might brilliant. you like out _ is he now? he is out. white might brilliant. you like out of— is he now? he is out. white might brilliant. you like out of prison, i brilliant. you like out of prison, doing really well in terms of moving his life forward but still struggling with the trauma of having gone through the system. gone through life, he is still here. that is a success in itself. but it still hurts me to watch him because... you took very different path. yeah, -

hurts me to watch him because... you took very different path. yeah, with i took very different path. yeah, with my brother. — took very different path. yeah, with my brother. i _ took very different path. yeah, with my brother, i always _ took very different path. yeah, with my brother, i always say _ took very different path. yeah, with my brother, i always say the - took very different path. yeah, with | my brother, i always say the system lost in because we had an amazing carer and she got quite ill, and he had to be moved and they didn't explain what was going on. the future plans. i think he felt that sense of rejection and went on a spiral, and onto the streets, the streets were his home but as we know, the street is not a real family, there is no rules on the streets. i family, there is no rules on the streets. .. family, there is no rules on the streets. ~' ., family, there is no rules on the streets. ~ ., ., , ., , streets. i think of other people like us to _ streets. i think of other people like us to come _ streets. i think of other people like us to come through - streets. i think of other people like us to come through the i streets. i think of other people | like us to come through the care system and i really hope they are not saying the same things about their brothers and sisters. sadi? their brothers and sisters. sadly this is what _ their brothers and sisters. sadly this is what happened. - their brothers and sisters. sadly this is what happened. i - their brothers and sisters. sadly this is what happened. i see - their brothers and sisters.

and you need to meet the need with love an: . and you need to meet the need with love an: , ., ., ., love and there is little data about the external— love and there is little data about the external sibling _ love and there is little data about the external sibling separation i love and there is little data about the external sibling separation so we ran our own research and it shows that as of the 3rd of september 2021, around half of sibling groups in care are split up. more than 12,000 children in care are not living with at least one of their siblings. to know more about the impact of these decisions, i am meeting a social worker student. saskia and her brothers were adopted after being rescued from their birth family. saskia. in theiradoptive home, they suffered physical abuse and neglect for a decade. saskia, tell me about your brothers. 50. and neglect for a decade. saskia, tell me about your brothers. so, max is the oldest- —

tell me about your brothers. so, max is the oldest. he _ tell me about your brothers. so, max is the oldest. he is _ tell me about your brothers. so, max is the oldest. he is 24, _ tell me about your brothers. so, max is the oldest. he is 24, then - tell me about your brothers. so, max is the oldest. he is 24, then i'm - tell me about your brothers. so, max is the oldest. he is 24, then i'm 11 i is the oldest. he is 24, then i'm 11 months younger than max, i'm 23, and tobyis months younger than max, i'm 23, and toby is 18 months younger, he is 22 at the moment. but we are all very, very close, very tight unit, always kind of been that way.— kind of been that way. when the ado tion kind of been that way. when the adoption broke _ kind of been that way. when the adoption broke down, _ kind of been that way. when the adoption broke down, saskia - kind of been that way. when the | adoption broke down, saskia and kind of been that way. when the - adoption broke down, saskia and her brothers went back into council care but they did not stay together for long. shill but they did not stay together for lonu. �* ., , long. all three of us were in different — long. all three of us were in different placements - long. all three of us were in different placements and i long. all three of us were in - different placements and areas, and it was quite strange as well because myself and max were obviously still attending the same school. might that must have been so awkward. it was really strange. that that must have been so awkward. it was really strange.— was really strange. at what point this contact _ was really strange. at what point this contact breakdown _ was really strange. at what point i this contact breakdown completely for all three of you i this contact breakdown completely for all three of you— for all three of you i would have been 14 or _ for all three of you i would have been 14 or 15 — for all three of you i would have been 14 or 15 and _ for all three of you i would have been 14 or 15 and toby - for all three of you i would have been 14 or 15 and toby 13. - for all three of you i would have been 14 or 15 and toby 13. i - for all three of you i would have been 14 or 15 and toby 13. i lost| been 14 or 15 and toby 13. i lost such a key part of myself i think because it was three against the world, it always has been. and so being so far away from them, it is like i was not as strong any more, sometimes siblings is all you've got

left. and if you take those away, you are taking the last thing away. the last bit of hope.— the last bit of hope. yes, yes, the last bit of your _ the last bit of hope. yes, yes, the last bit of your identity. _ the last bit of hope. yes, yes, the last bit of your identity. saskia - last bit of your identity. saskia sa s the last bit of your identity. saskia says they don't _ last bit of your identity. saskia says they don't normally - last bit of your identity. saskia says they don't normally talk l last bit of your identity. saskia - says they don't normally talk about their separation but her younger brother toby has agreed to meet me for a chat. share brother toby has agreed to meet me fora chat. �* brother toby has agreed to meet me for a chat. �* y., ., brother toby has agreed to meet me for a chat. �* ,. ., ., brother toby has agreed to meet me for a chat. �* y., ., ., , for a chat. are you going to sit like that while _ for a chat. are you going to sit like that while filming? - for a chat. are you going to sit like that while filming? yeah, | for a chat. are you going to sit i like that while filming? yeah, i'm calm. like that while filming? yeah, i'm calm- weirdly. — like that while filming? yeah, i'm calm. weirdly, it's _ like that while filming? yeah, i'm calm. weirdly, it's quite - like that while filming? yeah, i'm calm. weirdly, it's quite nice - calm. weirdly, it's quite nice because it — calm. weirdly, it's quite nice because it shows _ calm. weirdly, it's quite nice because it shows he - calm. weirdly, it's quite nice because it shows he has - calm. weirdly, it's quite nice l because it shows he has being normal. d0 because it shows he has being normal. , ., because it shows he has being normal. ,., ~ ., because it shows he has being normal. ~ ., ., because it shows he has being i normal-_ how because it shows he has being normal. ~' ., . how often normal. do you know what? how often do ou normal. do you know what? how often do you guys — normal. do you know what? how often do you guys sit — normal. do you know what? how often do you guys sit here — normal. do you know what? how often do you guys sit here at _ normal. do you know what? how often do you guys sit here at your— normal. do you know what? how often do you guys sit here at your flat - do you guys sit here at your flat and talk about this stuff? never. never. never. _ and talk about this stuff? never. never. never. how _ and talk about this stuff? never. never. never. how do _ and talk about this stuff? never. never. never. how do you - and talk about this stuff? never. never. never. how do you think| and talk about this stuff? never. l never. never. how do you think it has affected _ never. never. how do you think it has affected you? _ never. never. how do you think it has affected you? we _ never. never. how do you think it has affected you? we do - never. never. how do you think it has affected you? we do you - never. never. how do you think it i has affected you? we do you start? 0h, has affected you? we do you start? oh, man. i — has affected you? we do you start? oh, man. idon't_ has affected you? we do you start? oh, man. i don't know, _ has affected you? we do you start? oh, man. i don't know, it's- has affected you? we do you start? oh, man. i don't know, it's made i has affected you? we do you start? i oh, man. i don't know, it's made me into quite _ oh, man. i don't know, it's made me into quite a _ oh, man. i don't know, it's made me into quite a resentful person as a whole _ into quite a resentful person as a whole really. even if life is going good, _ whole really. even if life is going good, i— whole really. even if life is going good, i will still find some way to

be iikem — good, i will still find some way to be like... negative, so overall, i'm 'ust be like... negative, so overall, i'm just a— be like... negative, so overall, i'm just a negative person and i find it hard to— just a negative person and i find it hard to see — just a negative person and i find it hard to see the good in anything. even _ hard to see the good in anything. even if— hard to see the good in anything. even if it— hard to see the good in anything. even if it is— hard to see the good in anything. even if it is good... i will find something _ even if it is good... i will find something with it, and i will... it up something with it, and i will... it up so _ something with it, and i will... it up so it— something with it, and i will... it up so it is— something with it, and i will... it up so it is affecting me a lot because _ up so it is affecting me a lot because these traits have made me have real—life consequences. you have real-life consequences. you have real-life consequences. you have committed _ have real—life consequences. ym. have committed crimes you've gone to prison. have committed crimes you've gone to rison. . have committed crimes you've gone to prison-- may _ have committed crimes you've gone to prison-- may it's _ have committed crimes you've gone to prison.- may it's fair _ have committed crimes you've gone to prison. yeah. may it's fair to say that ou prison. yeah. may it's fair to say that you were — prison. yeah. may it's fair to say that you were difficult _ prison. yeah. may it's fair to say that you were difficult to - prison. yeah. may it's fair to say that you were difficult to look i that you were difficult to look after any care system and that is partly to explain why you've been moved, what would you say to that sort of... ? moved, what would you say to that sort of- -- ?— sort of... ? this is not to diminish my responsibility _ sort of... ? this is not to diminish my responsibility of _ sort of... ? this is not to diminish my responsibility of committing i sort of... ? this is not to diminish my responsibility of committing a| my responsibility of committing a crime _ my responsibility of committing a crime either. i take full responsibility but if i hadn't lived the life _ responsibility but if i hadn't lived the life i— responsibility but if i hadn't lived the life i lived, i would have never been _ the life i lived, i would have never been in _ the life i lived, i would have never been in that— the life i lived, i would have never been in that position to ever commit crime: _ been in that position to ever commit crime, you _ been in that position to ever commit crime, you feel me? i would have neverm _ crime, you feel me? i would have neverm i've _ crime, you feel me? i would have never... i've done things that i cannot— never... i've done things that i cannot take _ never... i've done things that i cannot take back and i'm not that person— cannot take back and i'm not that person but— cannot take back and i'm not that person but through what people and

other people have put on us, i am now that — other people have put on us, i am now that person and it is a shame. do you _ now that person and it is a shame. do you think— now that person and it is a shame. do you think you should have been kept together?— do you think you should have been kept together?- i _ do you think you should have been kept together? yeah. i think any siblinus kept together? yeah. i think any siblings should _ kept together? yeah. i think any siblings should be _ kept together? yeah. i think any siblings should be kept - kept together? yeah. i think any siblings should be kept together anyway but given that they knew what we'd been through in that house, it just... looking back now, itjust made no sense that they split us up. she means a lot to me. she's the only reason— she means a lot to me. she's the only reason i going sometimes. when saskia _ only reason i going sometimes. when saskia does— only reason i going sometimes. when saskia does well, we all do well. with— saskia does well, we all do well. with boys, — saskia does well, we all do well. with boys, we are naughty but with saskia. _ with boys, we are naughty but with saskia. i_ with boys, we are naughty but with saskia, i can do it. it to with boys, we are naughty but with saskia, i can do it.— saskia, i can do it. it to something because i feel _ saskia, i can do it. it to something because i feel the _ saskia, i can do it. it to something because i feel the same _ saskia, i can do it. it to something because i feel the same and - saskia, i can do it. it to something because i feel the same and there| because i feel the same and there are so many times where i've almost giving up and ijust wouldn't do it to them. i giving up and i 'ust wouldn't do it to them. . , ., .,. giving up and i 'ust wouldn't do it to them. . , ., .. , to them. i imagine your face, i see our to them. i imagine your face, i see your face- — to them. i imagine your face, i see your face- you _

to them. i imagine your face, i see your face. you made _ to them. i imagine your face, i see your face. you made me _ to them. i imagine your face, i see your face. you made me all- your face. you made me all emotional, _ your face. you made me all emotional, why _ your face. you made me all emotional, why did - your face. you made me all emotional, why did you - your face. you made me all emotional, why did you do | your face. you made me all- emotional, why did you do that? try it's real. .,, , , emotional, why did you do that? try it's real. , , , , , it's real. the losses siblings should be — it's real. the losses siblings should be placed _ it's real. the losses siblings should be placed together. it's real. the losses siblingsi should be placed together -- it's real. the losses siblings - should be placed together -- make should be placed together —— make the law says siblings. but many are separated because a shortage of foster carers. hello. someone trying to change this is veteran foster carer debbie bright who is best known as lydia's mum on the only way is essex but behind the scenes, she has looked after more than 200 vulnerable children. i has looked after more than 200 vulnerable children.— vulnerable children. i will tell ou, vulnerable children. i will tell you. being — vulnerable children. i will tell you, being here, _ vulnerable children. i will tell you, being here, i'm - vulnerable children. i will tell you, being here, i'm like... i vulnerable children. i will tell| you, being here, i'm like... it vulnerable children. i will tell. you, being here, i'm like... it is so homely. i've fostered many sibling groups and i thought a lot to keep siblings together. when i first started fostering, you were not... you're allowed to have siblings sharing bedrooms. now

there's so many rules and regulations about all foster children having their own bedroom and i understand the reasons why but who has got a spare bedroom? who? what about the emotional capacity as well? they may not have the capacity to look after more than one child? then there should be support in place so they can. in england, foster carer numbers are at their highest but the increase is not keeping up. debbie has been supporting a new recruit. i just keeping up. debbie has been supporting a new recruit. i 'ust let m self supporting a new recruit. i 'ust let myself in, — supporting a new recruit. i 'ust let myself in. the i supporting a new recruit. i 'ust let myself in, the door fl supporting a new recruit. i 'ust let myself in, the door was h supporting a new recruit. ijust let myself in, the door was open. - myself in, the door was open. approved as a foster family. quite invasive, which it is, you have to give them very specific details about absolutely everything. it's

almost like i found it like a long, year—long therapy session. might it takes a year. it year-long therapy session. might it takes a year-— takes a year. it can. i took nine months- _ takes a year. it can. i took nine months. mum _ takes a year. it can. i took nine months. mum took— takes a year. it can. i took nine months. mum took two - takes a year. it can. i took nine months. mum took two years i | takes a year. it can. i took nine - months. mum took two years i think. i took two years. it depends if they've — i took two years. it depends if they've got resources and social workers — they've got resources and social workers to — they've got resources and social workers to do the work. you they've got resources and social workers to do the work. you have a oune workers to do the work. you have a young person _ workers to do the work. you have a young person now. _ workers to do the work. you have a young person now, tell— workers to do the work. you have a young person now, tell me - workers to do the work. you have a young person now, tell me about i young person now, tell me about that. i young person now, tell me about that. ., ., ., ., ., , that. i do, i have a teenager who is absolutely — that. i do, i have a teenager who is absolutely brilliant. _ that. i do, i have a teenager who is absolutely brilliant. that _ that. i do, i have a teenager who is absolutely brilliant. that is - that. i do, i have a teenager who is absolutely brilliant. that is crazy. i absolutely brilliant. that is crazy. let me cut _ absolutely brilliant. that is crazy. let me cut you — absolutely brilliant. that is crazy. let me cut you off _ absolutely brilliant. that is crazy. let me cut you off because - absolutely brilliant. that is crazy. | let me cut you off because you're absolutely brilliant. that is crazy. i let me cut you off because you're 23 and have a teenager.— and have a teenager. yes, it is a crazy concept — and have a teenager. yes, it is a crazy concept to _ and have a teenager. yes, it is a crazy concept to a _ and have a teenager. yes, it is a crazy concept to a lot _ and have a teenager. yes, it is a crazy concept to a lot of - and have a teenager. yes, it is a crazy concept to a lot of people i and have a teenager. yes, it is a i crazy concept to a lot of people but i can relate — crazy concept to a lot of people but i can relate to her so well, because i can relate to her so well, because i was _ i can relate to her so well, because i was not _ i can relate to her so well, because i was not there that long ago, i know— i was not there that long ago, i know what— i was not there that long ago, i know what it's like to be a 13 year intraday's — know what it's like to be a 13 year intraday's time and that is where we really— intraday's time and that is where we really bond — intraday's time and that is where we really bond and connect. does intraday's time and that is where we really bond and connect.— really bond and connect. does your current foster _ really bond and connect. does your current foster child _ really bond and connect. does your current foster child have _ really bond and connect. does your current foster child have siblings? l current foster child have siblings? she does and she has a really good relationship with them. that is something i will always... when you

talk about— something i will always... when you talk about children bonding over trauma — talk about children bonding over trauma or— talk about children bonding over trauma or loss parents, it is really important — trauma or loss parents, it is really important and that is why you become a foster— important and that is why you become a foster carer, to be able to facilitate _ a foster carer, to be able to facilitate these things. i a foster carer, to be able to facilitate these things.- a foster carer, to be able to facilitate these things. i am proud, so roud. facilitate these things. i am proud, so proud- not— facilitate these things. i am proud, so proud. not only _ facilitate these things. i am proud, so proud. not only to _ facilitate these things. i am proud, so proud. not only to see - facilitate these things. i am proud, so proud. not only to see her - facilitate these things. i am proud, so proud. not only to see her as i facilitate these things. i am proud, so proud. not only to see her as a| so proud. not only to see her as a foster mum but to see what a wonderful foster mum foster mum but to see what a wonderfulfoster mum she is. she's got a big heart. wonderful foster mum she is. she's got a big heart-— got a big heart. while foster carers are crucial in _ got a big heart. while foster carers are crucial in keeping _ got a big heart. while foster carers are crucial in keeping things - are crucial in keeping things connected, its local council to make decisions for the children. with the number of looked after children at an all—time high, the system are struggling to keep up. hello, amy, lovely to meet you.— struggling to keep up. hello, amy, lovely to meet you. welcome to my children centre. _ lovely to meet you. welcome to my children centre. here _ lovely to meet you. welcome to my children centre. here we _ lovely to meet you. welcome to my children centre. here we are. - lovely to meet you. welcome to my children centre. here we are. i've l children centre. here we are. i've come to derby — children centre. here we are. i've come to derby to _ children centre. here we are. i've come to derby to find _ children centre. here we are. i've come to derby to find out - children centre. here we are. i've come to derby to find out how- children centre. here we are. i've i come to derby to find out how local authorities trying to rent more children going into care by piling in a new rasp rapid response team,

amy is one of the practitioners. tell me about this team and the work you're doing. the tell me about this team and the work you're doing-— you're doing. the stay together team was an idea — you're doing. the stay together team was an idea from _ you're doing. the stay together team was an idea from the _ you're doing. the stay together team was an idea from the edge _ you're doing. the stay together team was an idea from the edge of - you're doing. the stay together team was an idea from the edge of service | was an idea from the edge of service where they are highlighting the children in care and increasing local and identifying that there is a need to work with complex families where children may be at risk of going into the care system. basically helping families before the children are sent into care. to the children are sent into care. in keep those children within their family home. is keep those children within their family home-— keep those children within their famil home. , ., , , family home. is well family support, am offers family home. is well family support, amy offers critical— family home. is well family support, amy offers critical and _ family home. is well family support, amy offers critical and rapid - family home. is well family support, amy offers critical and rapid system | amy offers critical and rapid system assistance in a family is at a breaking point. tell me about the people we are going to meet. brute tell me about the people we are going to meet-— tell me about the people we are auoin to meet. . ., ., ., going to meet. we are going to meet someone who — going to meet. we are going to meet someone who has _ going to meet. we are going to meet someone who has had _ going to meet. we are going to meet someone who has had support - going to meet. we are going to meet someone who has had support from i someone who has had support from across— someone who has had support from across the _ someone who has had support from across the services. they were facing — across the services. they were facing a — across the services. they were facing a range of issues, young lady going _ facing a range of issues, young lady going missing, violent and aggressive in the home, at risk of being _ aggressive in the home, at risk of being exploited in the community. we.

protect being exploited in the community. protect the being exploited in the community. - protect the identity of the mum for the safety of her daughter. what was life like for you and your family before amy got involved? it was hard, we before amy got involved? it was hard. we did _ before amy got involved? it was hard, we did not— before amy got involved? it was hard, we did not know _ before amy got involved? it was hard, we did not know where i before amy got involved? it was hard, we did not know where to| before amy got involved? it was i hard, we did not know where to go for support, to access support, she was going missing regularly, getting into other things like bad crowds and drinking. education also starting to fail as well. it was a strain on our marriage, strain on the siblings and the children because we wanted her to go into care. if not for any�*s help, do you think a child would be in care at the moment? probably still in crisis. the family and all the children would have broken down. tell me how your family is doing now. �* ., tell me how your family is doing now. ~ . , , tell me how your family is doing now. . ,, ,, now. amazing. the sibling closeness has come back _ now. amazing. the sibling closeness has come back again. _ now. amazing. the sibling closeness has come back again. they _ now. amazing. the sibling closeness has come back again. they all - now. amazing. the sibling closeness has come back again. they all want i has come back again. they all want to interact with each other, doing tick—tocks in the bedroom with each other, football in the garden. you might meeting the family was so moving, something probably a bit harder was the fact that the mum said the siblings, they wanted the

child to be removed from the house, that was hard to hear but it is easy to see the intervention from amy and that sibling group has been saved. over the past 15 months, amy says their team has supported 60 families to stay together, 50 of those are... sibling. what preventative work can shrink the system, local councils are still facing those challenges. amy's boss is the head of early health and social care derby city council. we know the government provided monday at the height of the pandemic for councils to be able to support vulnerable families. but more children are going into care, costs are increasing. do you have the resources to be able to support children in care? goal now, we do not. we are very stretched as a local authority. there has been year

on year cuts to services that we are delivering on demand is rising. we won't compromise in terms of safeguarding standards but it will mean that other parts of the council and a further local authorities will have to make some very tough decisions. what could it mean for looked after children and sibling groups and cow nationally? i think that's what _ groups and cow nationally? i think that's what keeps _ groups and cow nationally? i think that's what keeps me _ groups and cow nationally? i think that's what keeps me awake - groups and cow nationally? i think that's what keeps me awake at. groups and cow nationally? i think. that's what keeps me awake at night. in terms of what happens when the money runs out. how are you feeling? local authorities are close to the bone nationally. you've been a social worker for 25 years. to see this very important industry fall into poverty, what would that mean

for you? i’d into poverty, what would that mean for ou? �* . into poverty, what would that mean for ou? �* , ., , for you? i'd be heartbroken. it would be _ for you? i'd be heartbroken. it would be devastating, - for you? i'd be heartbroken. it would be devastating, i- for you? i'd be heartbroken. it would be devastating, i think, | for you? i'd be heartbroken. it i would be devastating, i think, for the next generation and for this country. it the next generation and for this count . . the next generation and for this count . , ., , , �* country. it is horrible, isn't it? it is horrible. _ country. it is horrible, isn't it? it is horrible. when _ country. it is horrible, isn't it? it is horrible. when it - country. it is horrible, isn't it? it is horrible. when it comes i country. it is horrible, isn't it?| it is horrible. when it comes to country. it is horrible, isn't it? - it is horrible. when it comes to the ri . hts of it is horrible. when it comes to the rights of siblings, _ it is horrible. when it comes to the rights of siblings, scotland - it is horrible. when it comes to the rights of siblings, scotland is - rights of siblings, scotland is leading the way. a new law they are is giving brothers and sisters in care more power over their relationships than ever before. i'm meeting karen, a foster carer. karen! she runs something which... siblings. i karen! she runs something which... siblinas. , ., ., siblings. i will tell you, i would have loved _ siblings. i will tell you, i would have loved this _ siblings. i will tell you, i would have loved this as _ siblings. i will tell you, i would have loved this as a _ siblings. i will tell you, i would have loved this as a kid. - siblings. i will tell you, i would have loved this as a kid. i - siblings. iwill tell you, iwould| have loved this as a kid. i would have loved this as a kid. i would have absolutely loved to come somewhere like this. it is natural. you can be _ somewhere like this. it is natural. you can be a _ somewhere like this. it is natural.

you can be a kid. _ somewhere like this. it is natural. you can be a kid. your— somewhere like this. it is natural. you can be a kid. your ego. - somewhere like this. it is natural. | you can be a kid. your ego. you're havin: a you can be a kid. your ego. you're having a laugh- — you can be a kid. your ego. you're having a laugh- -- _ you can be a kid. your ego. you're having a laugh. -- here _ you can be a kid. your ego. you're having a laugh. -- here we - you can be a kid. your ego. you're having a laugh. -- here we go. - you can be a kid. your ego. you're i having a laugh. -- here we go. might make ou having a laugh. -- here we go. might make you quickly _ having a laugh. -- here we go. might make you quickly that _ having a laugh. -- here we go. might make you quickly that for _ having a laugh. -- here we go. might make you quickly that for the - having a laugh. -- here we go. might make you quickly that for the kids? i make you quickly that for the kids? look at this. oh, my days. white wacky group you will meet today, they've not had a halloween here before, so i'm excited to see their faces. they will love it. ourfamily and foster carers, it didn't take long for us to realise that these children are going into the care system and they are not going to the same place together. ijust realised, they have been through enough. why not, why can't they have their own special place that they call... and most of them do, call it home? that contact, i can only imagine, must be a lifeline. it keeps them going. it is not growing up keeps them going. it is not growing up and being a kid but it is tougher

being them. but if they have that support with each other, we are not only making a difference now but fast forward to when we leave the care system and imagine if they had each other. should we have coming today? brute each other. should we have coming toda ? ~ ., ., each other. should we have coming toda? ., .,, each other. should we have coming toda? . today? we have a sibling group of five bo s today? we have a sibling group of five boys full _ today? we have a sibling group of five boys full of _ today? we have a sibling group of five boys full of energy, _ today? we have a sibling group of five boys full of energy, lots - today? we have a sibling group of five boys full of energy, lots of. five boys full of energy, lots of fun, you will have what is a fun meeting them.— fun, you will have what is a fun meeting them. a meeting them. today is a big day. a massive day- _ at the farm, they go for two hours every two months. this is the route to contact.

how excited have you guys been to me today? ten how excited have you guys been to me toda ? ., ., ten how excited have you guys been to me today?_ ten out - how excited have you guys been to me today?_ ten out of - today? ten out of ten. ten out of ten? 9000- _ today? ten out of ten. ten out of ten? 9000. 9000? _ today? ten out of ten. ten out of ten? 9000. 9000? what- today? ten out of ten. ten out of ten? 9000. 9000? what does. today? ten out of ten. ten out of ten? 9000. 9000? what does it| today? ten out of ten. ten out of - ten? 9000. 9000? what does it mean to be able to — ten? 9000. 9000? what does it mean to be able to hang _ ten? 9000. 9000? what does it mean to be able to hang out _ ten? 9000. 9000? what does it mean to be able to hang out and _ ten? 9000. 9000? what does it mean to be able to hang out and carve these together? it to be able to hang out and carve these together?— to be able to hang out and carve these together? it means so much. tonnes. thank _ these together? it means so much. tonnes. thank you _ these together? it means so much. tonnes. thank you so _ these together? it means so much. tonnes. thank you so much - these together? it means so much. tonnes. thank you so much for- tonnes. thank you so much for lettin: tonnes. thank you so much for letting us _ tonnes. thank you so much for letting us film _ tonnes. thank you so much for letting us film because - tonnes. thank you so much for letting us film because it - tonnes. thank you so much for letting us film because it has i tonnes. thank you so much for. letting us film because it has been so fun, really fun. these kids are golden, absolutely incredible, and i don't even want to imagine that they would be without the opportunity to see each other because they clearly all depend on each other so much and it's really beautiful to see them

together. the boys are leaving, saying goodbye to each other, and that was quite difficult for them. goodbye. see you, mate. goodbye. karen, that must be so hard for you to do all the time. it must be so hard for you to do all the time. . must be so hard for you to do all the time. , ., , ., ., the time. it is not, it is not. to do nothing _ the time. it is not, it is not. to do nothing would _ the time. it is not, it is not. to do nothing would be _ the time. it is not, it is not. to do nothing would be hard. -

the time. it is not, it is not. to | do nothing would be hard. that the time. it is not, it is not. to i do nothing would be hard. that is the difference.— the difference. during this fall, i seen so many — the difference. during this fall, i seen so many children _ the difference. during this fall, i seen so many children in - the difference. during this fall, i seen so many children in care i the difference. during this fall, i i seen so many children in care being estranged from their siblings and clearly existential changes needed before more lives get affected forever. but this can't rely only on the goodwill of people on the front line. decisive action is now crucial. going on thisjourney, i see that the system is under pressure, so much pressure and social workers i think of a new level of sympathy for them because they are so stretched, they are so overwhelmed several —— soever worked and one of the most encouraging thing is i will take away from meeting someone like saskia is from having the brothers in the union, even though my brother and my siblings, i now have the chance to meet with my family. i now have the chance to be... and create the life i want, and sometimes it will be

blood, sometimes it won't, it doesn't actually matter. as long as you have people you love to love you back, i think that's enough.

it is quite a mixed bag today with some of us across east anglia and the south—east enjoying some dry weather that the rain will arrive a little bit later on, nothing too heavy, the weather is heavy right now and it may actually beat out through this evening, only to return to the early hours of sunday morning, so very early on sunday, it doesn't —— does look distinctly wet. particularly across wales, dry and chilly across central and northern scotland, and i think tomorrow, that is where the weather will be best, the north of scotland, inverness enjoying some sunshine whereas by the time we get to the oil and is in southwards, it is looking like it will be a cloudy day with some heavy

rain at times at least, 11 celsius are relatively mild and that whether chamorro will hang around through most of the day in the south and south—east, with a few areas where we may see some glimmers of brightness later in the day tomorrow.

this is bbc news. i'm rebecca jones with the latest headlines... the armed forces minister warns the uk will not be able to fly british nationals out of ukraine if russia invades — and says the situation is escalating. this is escalating in a way that is really quite terrifying. this is the largest concentration of troops on the european continent in 70 years. the united states orders nonessential staff to leave the us embassy in kyiv. the us and french presidents are due to speak to vladimir putin in an attempt to de—escalate tensions. borisjohnson receives a legal questionnaire from police investigating lockdown parties at downing street and whitehall. police have intercepted hundreds of vehicles trying to enter paris as part of a protest against france's

coronavirus regulations.