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Family foster care (FFC) is the preferred out-of-home care measure for the protection of children and youth through Europe, in accordance with research findings of its superiority in meeting developmental needs of children and youth. Portugal, however, does not accompany the European trend in the implementation of FFC. Even after changes made to the law, prioritizing FFC, it represents only 2,7% of out-of-home placements (Instituto de Segurança Social, I.P. [ISS-IP], 2020).The main goal of this exploratory and descriptive study is to understand the perceptions of Portuguese child protection professionals concerning FFC. 101 participants, from different professional backgrounds and child protection contexts, filled out a questionnaire. Main findings show a heterogeneous degree of familiarity to FFC, and a generally positive although reserved attitude to it. Professionals seem to value its child-centred approach and ability to promote child development and healthy attachment relationships, due to the benefits of a family environment. Participants identified regulations and procedures related to selection, evaluation, training, and support to foster families both as obstacles and necessary conditions for placement success, indicating important arenas where change urges.

This research aims to investigate the perception of the nursing staff regarding the patient safety culture in their work institutions. This is a qualitative approach study, as the method of analysis adopted the integrative literature review. Given the prerequisites defined, 22 articles were analyzed in the result. From these four categories were selected, most relevant, encompassing three most recurring factors: dimensions best evaluated: teamwork climate; job satisfaction; and organizational learning and continuous improvement. Worst assessed dimensions: punitive error response; management support for patient safety; and perception of patient safety culture. Management's role in the process of improvement: an approach that accepts human beings as fallible and focuses on the systemic causes of errors using risk management; communicate organizational safety initiatives, policies, and expectations to unit personnel; and engage in the education of its workers, creating a learning environment. Strategies to improve patient safety culture: change of work organization, aiming at workable work hours, among others; shared and participatory management between hospitals and closer relationships with the nursing staff; multi-professional awareness and change regarding safety culture. It was concluded that the perception of the nursing staff regarding the patient safety culture indicates that the care provided, especially in a hospital environment, finds weaknesses. It is emphasized that the strategies applied by management need to reach all teams to obtain continuous improvement.