The voices of children, mothers, and fathers: can parenting programs improve reunification processes in the Spanish child protection system?

This study was developed by the research group GRISIJ (Research Group for Social and Educational Interventions in Child and Youth) (2017SGR905), and it was financed by Chair Adolescent and Education and by the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, the Spanish State Research Agency and the European Regional Development Fund (RTI2018-099305-B-C21). Referencias bibliográficas • Akin, B. (2011). Predictors of foster care exits to permanency: A competing risks analysis of reunification, guardianship, and adoption. Children and Youth Services Review, 33(6), 999–1011. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2011.01.008 • M. À. Balsells P. Amorós N. Fuentes-Peláez A. Mateos Needs analysis for a parental guidance program for biological family: Spain's current situation Revista de cercetare si interventie sociala 34 2011B 21 37 http://repositori.udl.cat/bitstream/handle/10459.1/48290/016882.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y • Balsells, M. À., Mateos, A., Urrea, A., & Vaquero, E. (2018). Positive parenting support during family reunification. Early Child Development and Care, 188(11), 1567–1579. https://doi.org/10.1080/03004430.2018.1491559 • M.À. Balsells C. Pastor P. Amorós N. Fuentes-Peláez M. C. Molina A. Mateos ...N. Vázquez Caminar en familia: Programa de competencias parentales durante el acogimiento y la reunificación familiar [Walking family: Programme for parental skills during foster care and reunification] 2015 Ministerio de Sanidad, Servicios Sociales e Igualdad. Centro de Publicaciones Madrid, Spain https://www.mscbs.gob.es/ssi/familiasInfancia/ayudas/docs2013-14/docs2016/CaminarenFamilia.pdf • M. À. Balsells C. Pastor P. Amorós A. Mateos C. Ponce A. Navajas Child welfare and successful reunification through the socio-educative process: Training needs among biological families in Spain Social Sciences 3 4 2014B 809 826 https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci3040809 • M. À. Balsells C. Pastor M. C. Molina N. Fuentes-Peláez E. Vaquero A. Mundet Child welfare and successfu
Parental education programs are a key element in achieving family reunification because they help mothers and fathers improve their parenting skills and increase the parent-child relationship. Perceptions of change are examined among children and parents who participated in Spain’s “Caminar en familia” (“Walking family”) program, which was implemented among families served by the Sistema de Proteccio ́n a la Infancia y a la Adolescencia (System for the Protection of Children and Adolescents). A qualitative design enabled compre- hensively describing the experiences of families in the Spanish Child Protection System. A discussion group was the main data collection source. Study participants were from 16 families (23 parents and 20 children), either preparing to return home or newly reunified, and had completed Modules 3 and 4 of the program. The results indicated that the program contributed to increasing families’ awareness of their parenting-related abilities, skills, and competencies, and helped them understand the need for making adjustments as part of coexistence and preparations for adaptations in family dynamics to facilitate the children’s return home. This research highlights the importance of involving parents and their children in improving parenting skills and the reuni- fication process by implementing parental education programs through a unique work plan.
Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (España)
Grupo de Investigación en Intervenciones Socioeducativas en la Infancia y la Juventud (GRISIJ) (2017SGR905)
Cátedra Educación y Adolescencia (Universidad de Lleida)
Depto. de Estudios Educativos
Fac. de Educación
TRUE
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