Pere Amorós

The biological family from the perspective of kinship fostered adolescents

BACKGROUND Previous studies emphasise the importance of the biological family to the welfare of fostered adolescents. However, the majority of these studies only take into consideration the viewpoints of the professionals, foster parents and biological parents, not those of the adolescents themselves. For this reason little is known about the perceptions the adolescents have and the needs they express. METHOD This study has gathered data from 57 adolescents in kinship family foster care in Spain (AFE). The study applied qualitative research, using focus groups to gather data, and the Atlas.ti programme to analyse the data. The qualitative data give us a more profound understanding of how the fostered adolescents relate to their biological families. RESULTS The results highlight the specific needs of these adolescents with regard to: a) understanding of their family history, b) the impact of visits from and relationship with their biological family, and c) the relationship between the biological family and the foster family. CONCLUSIONS These findings reveal implications to consider when creating support programmes aimed at this group.

Child Welfare and Successful Reunification through the Socio-Educative Process: Training Needs among Biological Families in Spain

In Spain, an average of 480 children per 100,000 is receiving some type of temporary care, and the reunification process is typically lengthy. Providing the biological family with specific training as part of the reunification process is key to solving this problem. Although previous research and social policy have emphasized the importance of such training to reunification, the training has not been fully implemented in Spain. This study investigates the specific training needs during the transition phase of the reunification process in which the child prepares to return home. The data were obtained from focus groups and through semi-structured interviews with 135 participants: 63 professionals from the Child Protection System and 42 parents and 30 children who have undergone or are currently undergoing reunification. A qualitative methodology and Atlas.ti software were used to analyze the interview content. The results indicate three specific training needs: (a) understanding the reasons for reunification and the reunification phases; (b) empowerment strategies; and (c) social support. These findings suggest the best practices for formulating specific support programs for this population during the reunification transition period.

La formación para el acogimiento en familia extensa

Resumen La formación de las familias extensas que realizan un acogimiento familiar es uno de los retos que deben asumirse para la optimización de este recurso de protección a la infancia. El programa deformación se ha realizado, por un equipo de tres profesionales, gracias al convenio de colaboración entre la Consejería de Salud y Servicios Sociales del Gobierno de la Rioja y la Fundación “la Caixa” El Programa ha ido dirigido por una parte a grupos de familias acogedoras y por otra a grupos de jóvenes acogidos. En este artículo recogemos las bases conceptuales del acogimiento en familia extensa, los elementos más característicos del programa y los aspectos más relevantes de la evaluación. Se ha detectado que los jóvenes han podido expresar dudas, sentimientos e intereses en un marco de apoyo y de comprensión y han tomado una mayor conciencia de su situación. Las familias han adquirido, de forma gradual, conocimientos y pautas de actuación y han mejorado la confianza consigo mismas.

The attention towards families in vulnerable situations

In questo articolo e proposta un’analisi che muove dalle riforme normative e dalle indagini sui principi (di interesse superiore del bambino, sul suo benessere e la sua sicurezza, sulla normalizzazione e sull’implicazione) e i nuovi approcci (di genere, delle potenzialita, dell’intensita e della qualita e della partecipazione) che devono regolare l’attenzione alle famiglie in situazione di vulnerabilita, segnalando la necessita di una maggior organizzazione, pianificazione e coordinazione dei servizi e di una formazione degli educatori e un’indagine di carattere cooperativo che coinvolga gli educatori e i ricercatori che sara tanto piu ricca e soddisfacente quanto meno distante dal lavoro che gli educatori realizzano. Sapere di piu per intervenire meglio e una delle chiavi del progresso in qualsiasi ambito.

El proceso de intervención en medio abierto: la libertad vigilada

El autor describe una propuesta de intervencion con menores en Medio Abierto, llevada a cabo en Cataluna, y centrada en la figura de los Delegados de Asistencia al Menor (DAM). En el articulo se indican las fases que caracterizan el proceso de intervencion (fase inicial, fase intermedia y fase final), senalando en cada una de ellas los roles que el DAM asume, los diferentes tipos de estrategias y habilidades que utiliza, y los roles que el menor deberia desarrollar.