“Warmth of Home”: Discussing the foster care service

Abstract

The Foster Care Service (FCS) is part of a reformulation of the protection policy for children and adolescents’ rights. The implementation of the FCS in a Brazilian north-eastern municipality is discussed based on the perspectives of professionals, families (foster and biological), foster children, members of the Guardianship Council, Justice Promoters and Judges. Using semi-structured interviews, an analysis of the concepts of FCS was carried out as a care alternative for children and youth populations. The study reveals that FCS is regarded as a care alternative for children and young people, emphasizing individualized assistance and affective relationships in foster care. However, there are challenges that need to be overcome, such as an increase in the coverage of FCS, demonstrating as it has not yet been consolidated in service networks.