Mediação familiar e responsabilidades parentais

: um estudo com profissionais e beneficiários do Rendimento Social de Inserção

Abstract

The main objective of this research is to survey and develop a social and demographic characterization of the families benefitting from the Social Integration Income (“RSI - Rendimento Social de Inserção”), regarding their legal obligation to regulate the exercise of their parental responsibilities (RERP), and characterize the status of the process itself. Secondly, to find clues to a potential partnership between the Institute of Social Security, IP (“ISS - Instituto da Segurança Social”) and the Family Mediation System (“SMF - Sistema de Mediação Familiar”). 24 technicians of nine protocols of the district of Lisbon and 168 families beneficiaries of the Social Insertion Income, corresponding to 345 children, participated in the quantitative study through the completion of a survey specifically created for this research. The qualitative study involved 12 professionals, out of which 6 RSI technicians and 6 Family Mediators, who answered a semi-structured interview. The results of this research show that there is a significant amount of RSI beneficiaries whose Insertion Agreement foresees the regulation of parental responsibilities or a declaration of non-compliance with the parental responsibility agreement. The majority of parents regulated their parental responsibilities through courts and on their own initiative. With regards to alimony, the majority of non-resident parents do not comply with their obligations and when they do, the amount paid is low. In relation to the children and resident parent’s contact with the non-resident parent, the results show that most maintain contact on a regular basis. This study indicates that there is a relationship between compliance with alimony, relationship with non-resident parents and the way the parental responsibilities were regulated. Regarding the potential partnership between ISS and SMF, the technicians mentioned the importance of holding training sessions and workshops with RSI technicians to enable information flow and referral of beneficiaries. In addition, technicians identified the need for a formal protocol between services based on networking, which would add value to the allocation of resources. The RSI technicians and the mediators also mentioned that the services should be free and close to the population, requiring adequate premises in the ISS or in the municipalities.

Date of Award	22 Jan 2014
Original language	Portuguese
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Rita Francisco (Supervisor)