Monica Lopez

Características y desarrollo del acogimiento familiar en dos países con fuerte tradición de acogimiento residencial: España y Portugal

Fostering processes that occur in each country depend on historical and cultural factors that give rise to large international differences. Despite the fact that international comparisons offer a way of exchanging experiences, allowing mutual learning and transfer of good practice, we often encounter major barriers for its completion due to limited access to data on child protection practice, among other factors. Given these limitations, this article provides a comparative study conducted in Spain and Portugal. The aim is the evaluation of family foster care interventions in two countries where research in the field of child protection has traditionally been neglected. The profile of foster children, families of origin and foster families, as well as the features of the fostering processes were studied in a sample of 357 cases in Spain and 289 in Portugal. The comparison revealed significant differences related to the older age of Spanish foster children at the beginning of the foster placement. The profile of foster carers revealed older age, low educational level and frequent situations of multiple placements in Portugal. The comparative study has identified areas that require further attention in both countries, such as the generational shift of foster carers in Portugal or the need to speed up the decision-making processes for entry into a family foster placement in Spain. This article intends to be an encouragement for data collection and comparison in other Latin American countries.

El acogimiento en familia ajena en España. Una evaluación de la práctica y sus resultados

Resumen El acogimiento familiar ha de ser la medida prioritaria para los casos de menores que deben ser separados de su familia por motivos de protección. En España es una alternativa que cuenta tan sólo con veinte años de existencia y hasta la fecha no existen prácticamente datos acerca del grado de su implantación y sus características cuando se trata de acogimiento en familia ajena, mientras que son varios los trabajos que han estudiado el acogimiento en familia extensa. Este artículo presenta por primera vez en la literatura científica los datos más relevantes que permiten caracterizar la práctica del acogimiento en familia ajena en España, mediante el estudio de una muestra de seis comunidades autónomas bien representativas, con un total de 357 casos. El artículo presenta los perfiles de los niños, las familias biológicas y acogedoras, el proceso y algunos resultados sobre una submuestra de casos cerrados (n = 179). Se analizarán algunas características especialmente importantes como la larga estancia y la estabilidad de estos acogimientos, que los diferencia de los realizados en otros países.

Different sizes, similar challenges: out of home care for youth in Germany and the Netherlands

While there is a large difference in the number of young inhabitants in the Netherlands and Germany, their child protection frameworks are quite similar. In both countries, child protection services are mainly focused on youth aged 0 to 18 and regulations are aimed at clients’ responsibility and their active involvement during care. Youth care services consist of community-based services, day treatment and out-of-home care services, which include foster care and residential care. The history of out-of-home care services in both countries is characterized by similar developments. Over the last four decades, similar trends in residential care, towards more small-scale forms of residential care, smaller residential group sizes, and increasing professionalization of staff have emerged. Over the last two decades, a comparable trend towards increasing professionalization can be seen in the context of foster care in both countries. In addition, the number of youths in out-of-home care increased in both countries over the last decade, specifically in foster care. Over the last decade, more studies have been conducted in residential care than in foster care in both countries. Despite similar trends and developments in out-of-home care practice, research mainly shows differences in applied topics and methods between Germany and the Netherlands.

Commentary on decision-making and judgments in child maltreatment prevention and response: An overview

Professional judgments and decisions in alleged cases of child abuse and neglect can be difficult and complex, often based on ambiguous, partial, and contradictory information. These decisions have potentially fateful consequences not only for the child, but also for the entire family. Yet, decision-making in Child Protective Services (CPS) is characterized by low reliability and frequent errors. Examples abound of apparent errors where CPS did not act when it should have, or acted when it should not have. Aside from highly visible errors, other more subtle decision errors can occur that result in overall outcomes that are less than desirable for children and families. To improve decision-making, CPS decision makers at all levels can benefit from taking advantage of the knowledge gains and progress regarding decision-making research. The intent of this issue is to present research that articulates and explains how context and decision-maker behaviors effect CPS decision-making and how such knowledge might lead to improvements in decision-making.... Language: en

Characteristics and Development of Foster Care in Two Countries with a Strong Tradition of Residential Care: Spain and Portugal

Fostering processes that occur in each country depend on historical and cultural factors that give rise to large international differences. Despite the fact that international comparisons offer a way of exchanging experiences, allowing mutual learning and transfer of good practice, we often encounter major barriers for its completion due to limited access to data on child protection practice, among other factors. Given these limitations, this article provides a comparative study conducted in Spain and Portugal. The aim is the evaluation of family foster care interventions in two countries where research in the field of child protection has traditionally been neglected. The profile of foster children, families of origin and foster families, as well as the features of the fostering processes were studied in a sample of 357 cases in Spain and 289 in Portugal. The comparison revealed significant differences related to the older age of Spanish foster children at the beginning of the foster placement. The profile of foster carers revealed older age, low educational level and frequent situations of multiple placements in Portugal. The comparative study has identified areas that require further attention in both countries, such as the generational shift of foster carers in Portugal or the need to speed up the decision-making processes for entry into a family foster placement in Spain. This article intends to be an encouragement for data collection and comparison in other Latin American countries.

The Dutch child protection system: Historical overview and recent transformations

Although the Dutch child protection system has undergone several major transformations during the last three decades, for many years there has been a clear focus on serving the best interests of children, with the Convention on the Rights of the Child playing a key role. Great efforts are made to prevent child maltreatment or to intervene at an early stage. Large-scale prevalence studies have shown the epidemic scope of child maltreatment in the Netherlands. Both the high prevalence rates of child maltreatment and reviews of serious and fatal cases have led to significant refinements in procedures for identifying different forms of child maltreatment and for reporting. This chapter draws on the policy analysis developed for the research project Hestia, which compares policies and responses to child abuse and neglect in England, Germany and the Netherlands. The chapter begins with an historical overview of the policies and events which have shaped the current child protection system. Next, we describe in detail the present Youth Act 2015 and the scope and organization of the child protection system. In the final section, we formulate a conclusion and outline some challenges for the future of Dutch child protection policy and practice.

Corrigendum to “Meaningful participation for children in the Dutch child protection system: A critical analysis of relevant provisions in policy documents” [Child Abuse & Neglect 79 (2018) 279–292]

The authors regret that one reference in the article is cited as ‘Anonymous 2017’ in the text as well as in the reference list. The right reference is: ‘Bouma, H., Grietens, H., Knorth, E.J. & Lopez Lopez, M. Betekenisvolle participatie van kinderen in de jeugdbescherming. Inzicht in het concept en de verankering in het Nederlandse jeugdbeschermingsbeleid. [Meaningful participation of children in child protection. Insight in this concept and its embedding in Dutch child protection policy. Groningen: Rijksuniversiteit Groningen The authors would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused.

Family Foster Care in Portugal and Spain: A Comparative Research on the Satisfaction of Foster Carers

Este estudo apresenta uma comparacao entre as experiencias de familias de acolhimento de Portugal e Espanha, avaliando-se a sua satisfacao com a informacao recebida antes do acolhimento; a preparacao da crianca para o acolhimento; os apoios tecnico e financeiro; e a evolucao do processo de acolhimento. Pretende-se contribuir para melhorar e promover a medida de acolhimento familiar nos dois paises. Os processos de acolhimento familiar dependem de fatores historicos e culturais que produzem diferencas importantes nos diversos contextos internacionais. Assim, foram realizadas entrevistas em duas amostras aleatorias constituidas por 52 familias de acolhimento em Portugal e 46 na Espanha, cujos resultados foram comparados atraves de testes estatisticos parametricos e nao parametricos. Os acolhedores, em ambos os paises, mostraram um elevado grau de satisfacao com o processo de acolhimento. No entanto, em Portugal, existe maior preocupacao com o fraco apoio financeiro, as informacoes nao fornecidas pelos servicos de acolhimento ou a ma preparacao da crianca para o acolhimento. Por fim, sao apresentadas sugestoes para a melhoria da gestao e implementacao desta resposta social.This study provides a comparison of satisfaction of the carers with foster care in Portugal and Spain, aiming to improve implementation and development of this social response. The foster care processes depend on historical and cultural factors that have significant differences in various international contexts. Although comparative studies enable the sharing of experiences and the transfer of good practices, often we find barriers to conduct such studies due to limited access to data about protection practices of children. The sample includes 52 foster families in Portugal and 46 in Spain, who were interviewed to know their experiences with regard to satisfaction with: the information received before the host; the preparation of the child for the foster care; the technical and financial support; and the evolution of the foster care process. The carers, in both countries, show a high degree of satisfaction with the foster care process. However, in Portugal, there is greater concern for the poor financial support, information not provided by the foster care services or poor preparation of the child for childcare. Finally suggestions for improving the management and implementation of this social response are presented.

Acolhimento familiar nos países do sul da Europa

Este estudo apresenta uma comparacao entre as experiencias de familias de acolhimento de Portugal e Espanha, avaliando-se a sua satisfacao com a informacao recebida antes do acolhimento; a preparacao da crianca para o acolhimento; os apoios tecnico e financeiro; e a evolucao do processo de acolhimento. Pretende-se contribuir para melhorar e promover a medida de acolhimento familiar nos dois paises. Os processos de acolhimento familiar dependem de fatores historicos e culturais que produzem diferencas importantes nos diversos contextos internacionais. Assim, foram realizadas entrevistas em duas amostras aleatorias constituidas por 52 familias de acolhimento em Portugal e 46 na Espanha, cujos resultados foram comparados atraves de testes estatisticos parametricos e nao parametricos. Os acolhedores, em ambos os paises, mostraram um elevado grau de satisfacao com o processo de acolhimento. No entanto, em Portugal, existe maior preocupacao com o fraco apoio financeiro, as informacoes nao fornecidas pelos servicos de acolhimento ou a ma preparacao da crianca para o acolhimento. Por fim, sao apresentadas sugestoes para a melhoria da gestao e implementacao desta resposta social.This study provides a comparison of satisfaction of the carers with foster care in Portugal and Spain, aiming to improve implementation and development of this social response. The foster care processes depend on historical and cultural factors that have significant differences in various international contexts. Although comparative studies enable the sharing of experiences and the transfer of good practices, often we find barriers to conduct such studies due to limited access to data about protection practices of children. The sample includes 52 foster families in Portugal and 46 in Spain, who were interviewed to know their experiences with regard to satisfaction with: the information received before the host; the preparation of the child for the foster care; the technical and financial support; and the evolution of the foster care process. The carers, in both countries, show a high degree of satisfaction with the foster care process. However, in Portugal, there is greater concern for the poor financial support, information not provided by the foster care services or poor preparation of the child for childcare. Finally suggestions for improving the management and implementation of this social response are presented.

Acolhimento Familiar em Portugal e Espanha: Uma Investigação Comparada sobre a Satisfação dos Acolhedores

Este estudo apresenta uma comparacao entre as experiencias de familias de acolhimento de Portugal e Espanha, avaliando-se a sua satisfacao com a informacao recebida antes do acolhimento; a preparacao da crianca para o acolhimento; os apoios tecnico e financeiro; e a evolucao do processo de acolhimento. Pretende-se contribuir para melhorar e promover a medida de acolhimento familiar nos dois paises. Os processos de acolhimento familiar dependem de fatores historicos e culturais que produzem diferencas importantes nos diversos contextos internacionais. Assim, foram realizadas entrevistas em duas amostras aleatorias constituidas por 52 familias de acolhimento em Portugal e 46 na Espanha, cujos resultados foram comparados atraves de testes estatisticos parametricos e nao parametricos. Os acolhedores, em ambos os paises, mostraram um elevado grau de satisfacao com o processo de acolhimento. No entanto, em Portugal, existe maior preocupacao com o fraco apoio financeiro, as informacoes nao fornecidas pelos servicos de acolhimento ou a ma preparacao da crianca para o acolhimento. Por fim, sao apresentadas sugestoes para a melhoria da gestao e implementacao desta resposta social.This study provides a comparison of satisfaction of the carers with foster care in Portugal and Spain, aiming to improve implementation and development of this social response. The foster care processes depend on historical and cultural factors that have significant differences in various international contexts. Although comparative studies enable the sharing of experiences and the transfer of good practices, often we find barriers to conduct such studies due to limited access to data about protection practices of children. The sample includes 52 foster families in Portugal and 46 in Spain, who were interviewed to know their experiences with regard to satisfaction with: the information received before the host; the preparation of the child for the foster care; the technical and financial support; and the evolution of the foster care process. The carers, in both countries, show a high degree of satisfaction with the foster care process. However, in Portugal, there is greater concern for the poor financial support, information not provided by the foster care services or poor preparation of the child for childcare. Finally suggestions for improving the management and implementation of this social response are presented.