In this film, Polly Baynes shares key messages from their ESRC-funded research into parents’ experiences of visiting their children in care.
This film was part of a webinar that was held on 29 October 2025, Polly Baynes shares key messages from their research funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) exploring parents’ experiences of visiting their children in care.
Polly highlights the challenges faced by parents with learning disabilities and learning difficulties and explores opportunities to better support them before, during, and throughout care proceedings. Polly additionally discusses the importance of the support given to parents during child contact, which is essential for making sure that every child has a fair chance to grow up in their family of origin or maintain regular contact with their parents when living with them isn't possible.
This research involved interviews with parents and the use of photo elicitation. Of the parents included in the study, half of whom have a learning disability. These parents had a variety of experiences with family time, and some were still involved in care proceedings. The research aimed to investigate:
- The lived experiences of parents with learning disabilities during care proceedings and contact, including the emotional and practical challenges they face.
Polly highlights the following messages for understanding what parents may need:
- Positive, non-judgemental relationships, and recognition as parents
- Emotional support with loss
- Practical support, parenting support, signposting
- Advocacy, access to information