Family foster care occurs when authorities temporarily place children in need with another family.

In cases where it is necessary to find an alternative to their family, Foster Care is the priority placement measure for a child, lasting until the child’s family develops the conditions to return to care for them or, if this proves unfeasible, another permanent family setting is identified.

During foster care, the child lives with the foster family and maintains contact with their biological family unless it is not in their best interest.

Being a foster family means caring for a child until they can be reunited with their family or transition to a permanent, adoptive home.

The following can be foster families:

• Individuals over 25 years of age;
• Individuals, couples in stable unions over two years, or family members who live together;
• Individuals who are not inhibited from exercising their responsibilities;
• Individuals must be certified by a doctor as physically and mentally healthy, have no proven criminal record, and possess suitable living, hygiene, and safety conditions.

Relatives and individuals applying for adoption can also be considered as foster families.

Whenever the prospective foster carer is a candidate for adoption, a special technical evaluation is required to ensure the best interests of the child or youth are protected.

Foster care is for children aged 0-18 in need of protection.

Children who have suffered or experienced situations that placed them in danger and without protection (neglect, emotional and physical abuse, abandonment, etc.). A foster care scenario presupposes a previous situation of suffering for the child or young person. This often influences their development and behavior. Therefore, it is crucial to emphasize that the safety and affection of a host family have the potential to mitigate the effects of these adverse life experiences.

The process occurs in several mandatory steps:

1. Participation in an information session to submit an informed application;
2. Formalization of the application;
3. Participation in initial training for foster families;
4. Application review: Initial Interview, Psychological Assessment, and Home Study; and
5. Decision-making (selection/non-selection).

Some families provide weekend care and are referred to as “volunteer” or “friendly families.” They maintain only occasional relationships with institutionalized children.

A host family provides daily, loving care and support, creating a sense of family and consistency. Through the LX Acolhe Program, just as in other countries, foster families can also support one another by caring for children during vacations or offering respite when needed, ensuring every child always feels cared for.

Support families must complete the same training, assessment, and selection process as foster families.

If approved under the law and in the child’s best interests, children may stay with and be adopted by their foster family.

Yes. A child who is in a foster family can be adopted, once the possibility of reintegrating with their family of origin has been exhausted, by another family already selected as an adoptive family or by the foster family, strictly respecting the best interests of the child or young person.

Foster care is temporary and continues only as long as necessary to fulfill the foster child’s life plan—whether reunification, adoption, civil sponsorship, or independent living—to ensure a permanent family solution. During foster care, all involved—the child, foster family, family of origin, adoptive family, and civil sponsors—receive technical and ongoing support, aiming for a smooth transition.

A foster family receives initial and ongoing training, support from a technical team, workplace absences and leave similar to those of parents, and financial aid for the child’s care.

A foster family receives monthly financial aid per child—1.2 times the social support index (IAS), with a 15% increase for children under 6 or those with special needs, as defined by law.

During assessment, foster families are encouraged to thoughtfully consider and share the child’s profile that they feel best prepared to welcome and care for.

The aim is to clearly understand which children the family is willing and able to foster, taking into account their needs and background.

Yes. The information available for decision-making about placement is always shared with the foster family. The final decision to proceed with the placement is made by the foster family.

Yes. Children in foster care have the right to maintain contact with their families. Contact can take different forms (in-person or remotely) and is based on a plan tailored to each specific situation.

In-person contact occurs in neutral locations, facilitated by technical teams.

For the foster family’s safety and privacy, their address will not be disclosed.

Yes. Once the technical teams involved consider that all conditions are met, a meeting between the two families may be held.

This meeting typically occurs in most foster care situations and is held in a safe and neutral location. The goal is to allow the child’s family to get to know the person caring for them.

Yes, as long as the child’s parents (or the court, in their place) authorize the move abroad.

No. Foster families cannot resort to physical punishment, such as spanking, pushing, hitting with objects, or placing children in uncomfortable positions, among others.

The fundamental principles of foster care are to provide an environment of protection, care, and affection—the opposite of violence.

All children, due to their unique characteristics, which are related to their potential, vulnerabilities, and dependency, need more protection, not less, against any type of violence, including any disciplinary practice that involves physical or psychological abuse.

Resorting to physical punishment is a crime and leads to the termination of foster care.

Yes. The eighth amendment to the Law on the Protection of Children and Youth in Danger, approved by Law No. 147/99 of September 1, guarantees the child’s right to “maintain contact with the foster family after the end of the foster care measure, whenever it is in the best interests of the child.”

There are foster families composed of only one adult, large families, couples with and without children, blended families, single-parent families, same-sex families, families with extensive parenting experience, and others who have never had children but have a lot of love to give.

There are families from diverse cultural backgrounds and with vastly different histories who share a desire to make a positive impact in the lives of the children they foster.