The transition to adulthood is a process that brings childhood to an end and turns the individual into a young adult. This process is characterised by the acquisition of new roles for young people, roles linked to the development of personal autonomy that culminate in their emotional and functional independence. The aim of this study was to ascertain how young people with family ties and youths without family support perceive and understand their emancipation process. The study also sought to identify the extent to which family provides support during the emancipation process. The research design was qualitative and used the focus group technique for data collection. The total sample consisted of 12 participants (seven males and five females) with an average age of 18. Five of them were minors in the custody of the State, and seven were young adults in a regular family environment. The information collected was analysed using Atlas.ti software. The results highlighted the existence of difficulties and barriers among young people (with and without family ties) related to psychological problems, difficulties in choosing training, finding a job and, in short, emancipation. However, young people with healthy social ties and family stability during their childhood had more support for an effective transition to independent adulthood compared to young people without family ties.

En España, la atención de los menores en situación de desamparo se gestiona, mayoritariamente, a través de la medida del acogimiento residencial. En un contexto social que cuestiona los efectos de la institucionalización a l/p (a largo plazo), surge en Andalucía el programa de familias colaboradoras como recurso complementario a los centros de protección de menores. El objetivo de este trabajo es conocer el impacto y posibilidades de mejora de las FACO[1]. A partir de la investigación cualitativa, a través de la entrevista semi-estructurada, recopilamos los discursos de 8 informantes claves (representantes de entidades de Familias Colaboradoras): representantes de entidades de familias colaboradoras en Andalucía. Entre los resultados destacan la necesidad de mejorar la gestión del proceso comunicativo institución-familia, así como los beneficios a nivel afectivo, académico y social que comporta para los jóvenes el establecimiento de relaciones en un contexto íntimo, saludable y familiar. El programa FACO, conecta al menor con el entorno de fuera del centro a través de una familia colaboradora.