Question from a reader:
My 10-month-old daughter has been temporarily placed in a child welfare center due to our negligence, and I was told that I could have a visit if there is a prospect of her returning home. However, is it really true that there have been no visits at all at any other times? I understand that it may
vary by region, but I would appreciate it if someone with experience could share their insights.

Legal Aspects of Visits with Child Welfare Centers

Recently, I received a heart-wrenching question from a reader. Their 10-month-old daughter has been injured and is temporarily placed in a child welfare center. I can only imagine the regret and sadness that accompany such an incident caused by parental negligence. I empathize with your situation. Now, let’s consider the issue of visits from a legal perspective in such circumstances.

Role and Legal Background of Child Welfare Centers

First, it is important to understand the role of child welfare centers (CWC). CWCs are established to protect the welfare of children and will intervene if a child is deemed to be in a dangerous situation. Their purpose is to ensure the child’s safety and provide support to the family if necessary. In other words, your daughter’s temporary placement is a result of prioritizing her welfare. Legally, CWCs have the authority to temporarily place children based on certain criteria. For example, if parental care is assessed as inadequate, they can take protective action. However, this is a temporary measure, and the ultimate goal is to return the child to their family.

Rights Regarding Visits

Now, back to your question about the right to visit. This is a very delicate issue. Generally, visits are considered important for maintaining the bond between the child and the parent. However, the specific timing and conditions can vary by region. Therefore, it is likely to differ based on the policies of the CWC in your area and the specifics of your case. In many regions, visits are typically allowed under the condition that “there is a prospect of returning home.” However, the actual timing of visits can vary significantly depending on the situation. CWCs often permit visits when they determine that the parent can once again care for the child. Thus, a process of “restoring trust” may be necessary.

Reasons for Allowing Visits

Several factors are involved in the decision to allow visits. First is the parent’s situation. If you demonstrate awareness of parenting and a willingness to improve, the CWC may consider allowing visits. Additionally, research indicates that maintaining the parent-child relationship through visits can positively impact the child’s psychological development. This is a very important point from a psychological perspective.

Concerns About the Timing of Visits

As you mentioned, it must be very painful psychologically for visits to not occur at all. However, when making decisions, the CWC prioritizes the best interests of the child. Therefore, even if visits are not permitted, it is important to understand how the CWC is making their judgments. If visits have not occurred at all, possible reasons could include the assessment that the parent does not yet possess the necessary parenting skills or concerns about whether the parent-child relationship can be maintained appropriately. Such judgments are based on observations and evaluations by specialized staff, which may be difficult to accept emotionally, but it is essential to think about it calmly.

Personal Experiences and Advice

Here, I would like to share a personal experience from an acquaintance. When his child was temporarily placed in care, visits were initially not allowed. However, as he learned about parenting and actively sought support, he gradually began to receive opportunities for visits. Through these visits, he was able to rebuild his relationship with his child and ultimately return home. Thus, to gain opportunities for visits, self-improvement and effort are necessary. It is also important to maintain close communication with the CWC and clearly convey your situation. By actively engaging in this process, the chances of obtaining visits are likely to increase.

Mindset Until Visits Occur

Finally, let’s consider the mindset needed until visits occur. It is natural to feel anxiety and fear, but it is essential to approach this with a strong mindset for the sake of your child. When visits do happen, view them as an opportunity to deepen your relationship with your child and approach them positively. If visits are realized, it is important to value communication with your child and convey your affection clearly. Additionally, during visits, discussing specific plans and improvements regarding parenting can demonstrate your commitment to the CWC staff.

Conclusion

Engagement with child welfare centers is very complex, but parental efforts will surely be rewarded. The journey may not be easy, but by addressing the situation calmly and progressing step by step, hope will emerge. I sincerely wish for your reunion with your daughter. Regardless of the circumstances, striving for the best for your child is an essential role of a parent.