Abstract
This study aimed to determine if the views the staff working at shelters for youth have about the hurdles they face at work are related to deficient selection, capacity building and training. A qualitative survey was carried out at two shelters located in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, between 2008 and 2010. The 47 interviews conducted with shelter professionals and field observations at group workshops were transcribed. The analysis of the data identified hot spots that can lead to violence, interfere in task management and worsen psychosocial risks, compromising the mental health of both caregivers and of the youth being assisted. Their accounts were compared with the recommendations featured in the Technical Guidelines for foster care for children and adolescents, and we concluded that although this document allows the mapping of the actions to be taken by the professionals and provides guidance on the best ways to accomplish the fostering task, it needs to be assimilated and experienced in order to reduce the gap between what is prescribed and the actual reality.
Keywords
caregiver; shelters; adolescents; professional training; personnel selection