‘I lived for those mornings’: Parents’ experiences of visiting their children in care

This photo-elicitation study with four fathers and six mothers (half of whom had learning disabilities) set out to explore their experiences of visiting children in care, an under-researched area. Participants described loss as central to family time but also identified coping strategies, before, during and after visits. The use of visual methodology revealed how material objects such as toys and food became loaded with multiple meanings, providing a bridge between a shared remembered past, a separated present and an imagined future, crossing boundaries between home and placement. During care proceedings, when relationships with social workers had broken down, contact supervisors were key; parents were willing to accept support (including referral to other services) when they perceived workers to be knowledgeable, compassionate and respectful of their loss. There is under-utilised potential for skilful, trusted family time workers to maximise prospects of change in the aftermath of child removal and help parents survive emotionally. This would require a re-imagining of the purpose of family time to encompass support for parents as beneficial for children; it would depend on adequate resources and training to work with parents with learning disabilities.