I. How it works -- Caitlin's story : 'They didn't give me a chance' : the rise and rise of child removals -- Alice's story : 'It's a battle to stay in control' : social workers, austerity and Baby P -- Judge Wildblood's story : 'We've got to do something' : judges and their decisions -- II. What's really going on? -- Francesca's story : 'It's always the ones you don't suspect : class, privilege and poverty -- Daniel's story : 'Dad is not in the picture' : invisible fathers -- Kim's story : 'You don't know what you're sending them home to' : schools, safety nets and the pandemic -- Lucy's story : 'The whole thing gets really toxic' : lawyers and the trust gap -- Gabrielle's story : 'We could have done it... with support' : race, ableism and the postcode lottery -- Angela's story : 'We are blaming mums who don't have anything' : the 'toxic trio' and lonliness -- III. Consequences -- My story : 'What is good enough parenting?' : the judging of families -- Nancy's story : 'As normal as it can be' : foster care and love -- Emma and Sarah's story : 'There are no fairy tale endings' : Adoptions and afterwards -- IV. Is there another way? -- 'To love is to act' : relational activism and radical tenderness -- A thought experiment.