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Residential care

Residential care is a promotion and protection measure provided for in Law No. 147/99 of September 1 (as amended to date). In this context, “residential care” means formally placing a child, who has been removed from a dangerous environment, in a foster home or similar supervised setting. A “dangerous environment” is any place or situation that presents a serious risk to the child’s physical or emotional well-being. This measure should be used only when all other interventions and protective steps fail to reduce the danger.

This temporary measure is applied by the CPCJ (Child and Youth Protection Committee, which ensures children’s well-being), with the legal guardian’s consent for children aged 12 or older, or by the Family and Juvenile Court.

If a child faces imminent danger, contact the police for immediate protection. The court later confirms this emergency action.

Residential care homes can take in children and young people on a planned or urgent basis. Whenever possible, they choose homes close to the child’s own. This keeps routines, supports emotional bonds, and helps social connections. Children and young people should stay in the same residential unit if possible. Support begins right away to put their care plan in place.

RESIDENTIAL HOME

Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa’s foster homes are located throughout Lisbon. Homes are also in Sintra, Oeiras, and Carcavelos. Each house accommodates 12 children or young people of all ages and genders. All foster homes provide a welcoming environment. The goal is to create a setting as close to family life as possible. There are organized routines and rituals. Homes are integrated into the community. This helps foster social, educational, and cultural integration among residents.

The foster home has a director and a team of specialized caregivers, divided into three groups:

Support Team: Handles household management tasks, including laundry, cleaning, and meal preparation. They help children and young people with daily routines and practical needs. The team provides supportive interactions to ensure comfort and well-being.

Therapeutic Intervention Team: Oversees daily care and supervision of residents. The team monitors health and education. They organize activities and create Individual Intervention Plans. The team meets therapeutic needs, maintains routines, and supports well-being.
Diagnostic and Life Project Team: Works closely with families and the Therapeutic Intervention Team. They assess the child’s needs and monitor progress. The team coordinates the Promotion and Protection Project and develops Family Intervention Plans. They interpret children’s emotions and help personalize care to support development.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How does the intervention unfold during foster care?

Caregivers receive, listen to, get to know, and address each child’s needs, emphasizing empathy as the primary tool.

Intervention with therapeutic intentionality always prioritizes the well-being of each child or young person. It includes ongoing professional assessment and support for families.

Within residential care, caregivers serve as structured role models, helping children identify opportunities for connection and personal growth. Through these relationships, caregivers support restorative processes that encourage self-understanding and the adoption of adaptive behaviors.

To clarify, the following defines an intervention with therapeutic intent:

An intervention with therapeutic intent is structured, integrated, and continuous, involving all stakeholders to support the child’s needs holistically.

The intervention does not seek to change the child but to recognize their true needs and desires.
It allows each child the time they need to develop at their own pace.
It values each child’s right to play, creativity, and inner life.
The intervention welcomes each child, recognizing their pain and potential, and responds with empathy.
Caregivers never blame the child or young person for their placement.
It preserves and nurtures hope;
It respects each child’s individuality, privacy, rest, and access to new experiences.

Caregiver teams adapt their interventions as children’s needs change.

Caregivers involve children in decisions about their care, ensuring the process is tailored to their age and development.

What about the children's families?

Residential care is a short-term measure with a focus on making a plan to protect the child. The main goal is always returning to the family if it is safe.

All important relationships in a child’s life are key for their emotional health. These ties give real help as they grow. The aim is to help families connect well with the child. By understanding child and family strengths, harmful patterns can be fixed. This builds strong bonds that support good parenting.

To understand the main objectives, here's what foster homes strive to achieve:

Adequate satisfaction of the physical, psychological, emotional, educational, and social needs of children and young people;
Establishment of secure, stable, and affective bonds, crucial for the harmonious development of their personality;
Minimization of emotional harm resulting from the exposure of children or young people to dangerous situations;
Acquisition of skills aimed at their personal, social, academic, and professional development;
Conditions that contribute to the construction of their identity and the integration of their life story;
Progressive acquisition of autonomy with a view to full social, academic, professional, and community integration.