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Profiles of Young Children Involved with Child Protection Services in Portugal

Author

Listed:
  • Maria Manuela Calheiros

    (Universidade de Lisboa)

  • Sandra Ornelas

    (Universidade de Lisboa)

  • Eunice Magalhães

    (Instituto Universitário de Lisboa (ISCTE-IUL), CIS-IUL)

  • Margarida Vaz Garrido

    (Instituto Universitário de Lisboa (ISCTE-IUL), CIS-IUL)

Abstract

Many maltreated young children have their first contact with Child Protective Services (CPS) through Emergency Shelter Care (ESC) in response to an immediate need for protection or to complete a case diagnosis and placement decision. However, little is known about the characteristics of young children at the entry point into ESC, such as risk and protective factors and, in particular, their family characteristics. The purpose of this study is to identify the profiles of families and young children who have been removed from their families and placed in ESC. We did so with a needs-led and evidence-based methodology, which can be incorporated into CPS practices to promote better-informed decisions in subsequent services and programs’ interventions. A sample of 100 young children admitted to a Portuguese ESC was analyzed based on their risk and protective factors, as well as risk thresholds in five dimensions: 1) living situation; 2) family relationships; 3) social behavior; 4) physical and psychological health; and 5) family education and employment. Four distinct needs profiles with different degrees of risk for young children’s development and well-being were identified. The existence of different patterns of needs requires specific and differentiated services’ interventions. The results and implications for practice are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Maria Manuela Calheiros & Sandra Ornelas & Eunice Magalhães & Margarida Vaz Garrido, 2022. "Profiles of Young Children Involved with Child Protection Services in Portugal," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 15(3), pages 933-958, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:chinre:v:15:y:2022:i:3:d:10.1007_s12187-021-09895-0
    DOI: 10.1007/s12187-021-09895-0
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    References listed on IDEAS

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