To Reform the Child Protection System in Portugal—Stakeholders’ Positions

Elisete Diogo (), Joana Véstia Silva and Bárbara Mourão Sacur
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Elisete Diogo: CARE-Research Center on Health and Social Sciences, VALORIZA—Centro de Investigação para a Valorização de Recursos Endógenos, Instituto Politécnico de Portalegre, 7300-110 Portalegre, Portugal
Joana Véstia Silva: Portalegre Polytechnic University, 7300-110 Portalegre, Portugal
Bárbara Mourão Sacur: Católica Research Centre for Psychological, Family and Social Wellbeing (CRC-W), Universidade Católica Portuguesa, 1649-023 Lisbon, Portugal

Social Sciences, 2024, vol. 13, issue 9, 1-18

Abstract: Notwithstanding the legal milestones observed in the Portuguese child protection system (CPS), several concerns call for political action to ensure the effective guarantee of children’s rights. In this context, it is imperative to discuss proposals for reforming the CPS. Agreement on these proposals by the stakeholders in the system is key to validating and improving the system. Therefore, the main research questions of the present study are (1) what is the level of agreement among stakeholders in the CPS on certain proposals for child protection reform? and (2) what are the positions on those proposals? Mixed methods were conducted based on an online survey (n = 292), supported by Qualtrics, and eight focus groups involving stakeholders as former beneficiaries, families, practitioners and academics (n = 18). Findings show a harmonious alignment with the proposals, justifying an urgent reform of the CPS and the need to strengthen a child-centred system. Three themes emerged: promotion of quality family-based care and promotion of adoption; development of child-friendly terminology; and improvement of the CPS administration. The conclusions highlight implications for policy and practice.

Keywords: children’s rights; child protection system; family-based care; de-institutionalisation; recommendations for policy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A B N P Y80 Z00 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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