•The presence of parents in their child's life and the possibilities of reunification with them are predicted by.•The quality of the parent–child relationship and the mobilization of parents.•The time factor.•Parents' pathologies and the consequences on their children.•Type of family and family relationship.•It is essential to work intensively with the parents at an early stage to maximise the possibilities of reunification. The aim of this article was to identify factors that may influence the presence of parents and the possibilities of reunification with their foster children. We find that there are 4 main areas that influence the presence of parents in their child's life and the possibilities of reunification with them.-The quality of the parent–child relationship and the mobilization of parents.-The time factor.-Parents' pathologies and the consequences on their children.-Type of family and family relationship.A majority of parents disengage in the first three years of the placement and especially in the first year. It is therefore essential to carry out intensive work with the parents as soon as possible in order to maximise the possibilities of family reunification or, if necessary, to develop a realistic and adapted project for all parties. Parents' drug addiction generates their absence from their child's life. The accumulation of problems among parents also increases their disengagement from their child's life. The work on parenting must include intensive support in solving the personal problems of the parents of children in care. It is therefore essential to work intensively with the parents at an early stage to maximise the possibilities of reunification on the parents' personal problems and the quality of the parent–child relationship.