Portuguese young people at risk institutionalized in a foster home

educational path and life project (Case Study)

Abstract

The study is part of the qualitative methodology (case study – situational and institutional) aiming to understand the educational path and autonomy of N=11 Portuguese young people at risk institutionalized in a shelter institution -ADME (Castelo Branco) (period of carrying out the study academic year: 2021-22). We established the following objectives: analyze the perception of young people at risk regarding their institutionalization and autonomy; understand the integration of these young people at risk in the school context (educational process); identify the learning difficulties of these young people in their schooling; characterize the socio-educational trajectory of these young people in relation to school performance and performance; Determine the adaptation of these young people at risk regarding educational relationships with their peers; understand the technical role of the institution in the training process of young people; analyze collaboration between ‘ADME-schools’; learn about the construction of these young people’s life projects. We used the following data collection techniques in the research: documentary observation (institution) and participant; semi-structured interviews with teachers and technicians from the host institution; field notes; holding a ‘Focus Group’. We carried out a content analysis on the information obtained from observation (field notes) and interviews and subsequently submitted it to the triangulation process, with the results confirming the technical importance of the institution in the school journey, development of autonomy skills and projects of young people's lives, in addition to the good interrelationship between 'ADME-schools'. There is adequate harmony and collaboration between the institution's technicians and the school/teachers throughout the training process of these at-risk young people and also in the construction of their life project and insertion into society.