Impact of visits on fostered children’s and families’ well-being: views of birth families, foster families and social workers

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study explores the views of foster families and social workers, and often-overlooked parents of foster children on the benefits and drawbacks of visits. It also values changes in families’ perspectives after participating in a positive parenting program to improve visits quality. Findings from pre-post- semi-structured interviews revealed little progress in defining contact arrangements on a case-by-case basis and in engaging families in visits preparation. Comparison of the data collected rendered a more favorable appraisal of the visits after the intervention. Implications for social work practice highlighr ways to improve visits quality and the well-being of all those involve.