Children and young people in residential care represent a vulnerable group, yet little is known about their family contact experiences. Studies asking children directly suggest that children in residential care have unique family contact patterns and needs, however, no studies have asked residential care workers about children's family contact experiences. This paper describes workers' reports of the family contact experiences of children in residential care in South Australia. Fifty-six workers from 12 residential care units were interviewed regarding 73 children. Worker's reports reflected similar trends in family contact patterns to previous surveys asking children directly. Sibling contact was the most common form of family contact, and the majority of children wanted to reunify or increase contact with their families, even if this was not possible. Relationships with mothers and other relatives were also seen as important, while fathers comparatively less. The pragmatic and psychological barriers to family contact are also discussed. (Journal abstract)