Minors who are removed from their families of origin and subsequently enter care services represent a complex reality that encompasses aspects of varying magnitude and seriousness: from the educational failings of families to parental conflicts, from economic and housing problems to behavioural problems of addiction and juvenile delinquency, up to extreme forms of violence and abuse. It is a phenomenon that to some extent testifies to the fragility of families and the social, cultural and economic crisis of a region.

This report aims to provide a concise overview, at a regional and national level, of the quantitative dimension of family fostering and foster care in residential facilities, and of the main findings in relation to the characteristics of the children and adolescents cared for and the network of residential facilities present in the region covered, as at 31/12/2011.