The aim of this qualitative study is to investigate and to reflect on bereavement, risk factors and protection of children that exist in the process of child institutionalization, based on the practices of the carers. The analyzed sample was composed of sections of supervisions of five professional carers who worked for children's shelters. The study of the practices of the carers in the children's sheltering process was very important in order to perceive how the institution might have positive or negative impacts of family separation on the process of emotional recovery, by minimizing, or otherwise, future bonding problems. The institution, and everybody involved in this process, has the opportunity to provide protection factors related to the period of stay in the shelter, opening the way to thinking about prevention and therapeutic interventions for the sheltered child.
Child; Substitute caregiving; Risk; Bereavement; Bonds