Group intervention for parents with intellectual and developmental disabilities with children in placement: A case study exploring the long-term process and outcomes

Parents with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs) are at an increased risk of having their children placed in foster care. A group intervention to provide support was developed in Australia and applied in Sweden to help mothers with children in foster care deal with the grief of having a child removed and their new parenting role. An evaluation found that the intervention could contribute to maturing and developing the insights and skills of the mothers. This study aimed to explore the long-term process and outcomes of the intervention in terms of the mothering role, visits with their children and the need for support. An explorative and qualitative single-case design was used. Three mothers with IDDs were interviewed before participating in the intervention, directly after the intervention and between nine and 14 months later. Interviews were analysed with qualitative content analysis. The intervention helped the mothers to come to a broader and shared experience with new insights and acceptance of help, improved contact with social services and better strategies in their relationships with their children. The feelings of grief and loss lasted over time. The study concluded that despite the history of mothers with IDDs whose children are in care (e.g., life crises, the trauma of placement), an intervention adapted to meet their needs can contribute to long-lasting experiences of wellbeing and reconciliation, which also benefit their children.