Being a Foster Family in Portugal—Motivations and Experiences

Elisete Diogo,Francisco Branco

doi:10.3390/soc7040037

Abstract

Foster care is an almost absent component in the child care system and scientific research conducted in Portugal foster comprises 3.2%1 of out-of-home care in Portugal. This research aims to contribute to a deeper visibility of the care phenomena, giving specific attention to the foster families themselves. This research adopted a qualitative analytical approach, inspired by Grounded Theory. Foster families’ motivation is rooted in altruism, affection for children, and sensitivity to maltreatment. Personal and professional biography or past contact with out-of-home care can also induce predisposition to become a carer. The experience of being a carer2 is one of traversing through a life of many challenges and rewards. Considering the recognition from the stakeholders, it is a rewarding task. The quality of the service provided and the performance of the care professionals are both key elements to foster care.

Highlights

Throughout European countries, welfare systems have a history of diverse responses to the issue of childhood wellbeing
From children placed in foster care, 15.8% were in foster care for 1 year or less, 10.3% were in foster care for 2 or 3 years, and 74% were in foster care for more than 4 years [1]
(ii) What are the experiences of the foster families as carers? (iii) How can foster families contribute to improve both the policy and foster care implementation? Subsidiary questions are (i) How is the initial availability to foster built? (ii) What are the issues that emerge in a family that fosters a child?

Summary

Introduction

Throughout European countries, welfare systems have a history of diverse responses to the issue of childhood wellbeing. Foster care (FC) is currently poorly represented in the Portuguese protection system. In legal terms, being considered the preferred mode of responsive child placement, data shows that only 3.2% of the children in placement in 2016 were in FC [1]. The invisibility of FC in Portugal is a reality even in Portuguese scientific research, in which it is poorly represented [2]. According to the Portuguese Act on the Protection of Children and Young People in Danger , foster care consists of “the entrustment of a child or an adolescent to the care of a single person or to a family qualified to do so, for providing his/her integration into the family environment and the provision of appropriate care for his/her needs and well-being and the education necessary for his/her integral development”. From children placed in foster care, 15.8% were in foster care for 1 year or less, 10.3% were in foster care for 2 or 3 years, and 74% were in foster care for more than 4 years [1]

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Conclusion