Foster care in Portugal: outcomes, needs, and challenges for deinstitutionalization

Abstract

This paper assesses evidence of and challenges to the development of the foster care system in Portugal. It describes the evolution of the social policy adopted in the Portuguese child placement system, highlighting family placement in foster care, followed by an overview of the main institutional actors in the protection system and the supports provided to family carers. Then, based on available research developed in Portugal, a portrait of the experiences lived by foster families and children placed in foster care is presented, revealing children and carers’ opinions about well-being and personal development, education and leaving care process, foster care and residential care, and participation in decision-making. The analysis adopted identify the intensity and singularity of relationships in foster care, and the impact it has on children’s and foster families life’s. They reveal an intense, unique experience that is unmatched by other educational and affective relationships established between adults and children. The article discusses implications for policies and practices, by considering the need for a shift from residential to family care to achieve a better balance in the system and move closer to international statements of good practices.