The Foster Care Research Center promotes and contributes to empirical research aimed at improving child protection systems, foster care practices, and family support services.
Our completed studies investigate the experiences of children, families, foster carers, and social work professionals, combining scientific inquiry with practical implications for welfare services and public policies.
The projects presented below reflect the research activities of Centro Studi Affido and its affiliated researchers, with links to the main scientific publications.
2024 — Child Protection Professionals’ Perspectives on Birth Families and Child Removal
Research area: Child protection, birth families, social work practice
This qualitative research examined the relationship between birth parents and child protection services in Central and Southern Italy, focusing on the challenges associated with children’s removal from their families.
The study explored professionals’ perspectives on parental experiences, institutional relationships, and opportunities for improving intervention practices. Findings highlight the importance of preventive approaches, clearer communication, trust-building, and greater parental participation in child protection processes.
Scientific output: Opinioni degli operatori della tutela sul rapporto tra genitori di minori allontanati e sistema di protezione al Centro-Sud Italia. La Rivista di Servizio Sociale, November 2024.
2024 — Recruiting Foster Families for Teenagers in Italy
Research area: Foster family recruitment, adolescent foster care, family motivations
This study investigated the motivations, characteristics, and availability of foster families caring for teenagers in Italy.
Based on qualitative interviews with 126 foster parents, the research identified factors influencing willingness to foster adolescents and explored strategies for improving recruitment.
Findings emphasize intrinsic motivations, previous parenting experience, trust-based relationships with social services, and the contribution of foster family networks. The study offers practical recommendations for developing more effective recruitment strategies.
Researcher: Marco Giordano.
Scientific output: Giordano, M. (2024). Recruiting foster families for teenagers in Italy: Motivational elements, socio-demographic characteristics and availability factors. Child & Family Social Work, 29(3), 759–771.
2024 — Challenges for Social Work in Supporting Foster Families
Research area: Foster care services, professional practice, foster family support
This qualitative study investigated foster parents’ experiences of the support provided by Italian social services.
Through interviews with 25 foster families recruited in collaboration with nine family associations, the research identified organizational and relational challenges affecting foster care interventions.
Findings point to the need for greater continuity of professional support, improved communication, specialized staff, and more consistent assistance throughout the fostering process. The study contributes to discussions on improving the quality and organization of foster care services.
Researchers: Marco Giordano, Alessia Rossato, Marilena Di Lollo.
Scientific output: Sfide per il servizio sociale nel lavoro con gli affidatari. Ricerca sulla situazione italiana. Quaderni de La Rivista di Servizio Sociale, 2024, pp. 34–45.
2022 — Foster Care in the Province of Naples: A Territorial Survey
Research area: Foster care systems, local welfare services, territorial assessment
This research initiative, launched in January 2022 in collaboration with the Volunteer Service Centre of Naples (Centro di Servizio per il Volontariato di Napoli), focused on the foster care system in the Province of Naples.
The initiative aimed to investigate foster care at the local level and contribute to a better understanding of the territorial context, providing a basis for reflection on the development of foster care services and community resources.
Partner: Centro di Servizio per il Volontariato di Napoli (CSV Napoli).
Research initiative: Indagine sul fenomeno dell’Affidamento familiare nella Provincia di Napoli, January 2022.
2021 — How Italian Social Services Promote Foster Care
Research area: Foster care promotion, service organization, recruitment strategies
Conducted between 2014 and 2016, this qualitative research investigated how Italian social services promote foster care and recruit prospective foster families.
The study examined the practices of ten selected foster care centres, exploring their organizational approaches, communication activities, and strategies for encouraging families to become foster carers.
Its findings contribute to understanding how local services can strengthen foster care promotion and develop more effective, community-oriented recruitment practices.
Researcher: Marco Giordano.
Scientific output: Giordano, M. (2021). Come i servizi sociali italiani promuovono l’affidamento familiare. Autonomie Locali e Servizi Sociali, 3/2021, 655–670.