Pathways to improve residential care for children and youth in Portugal: The Livramento Hope Model

In Portugal, over 90% of children in care are placed in residential settings. However, few residential care services base their interventions on theoretically grounded models. This gap underscores the need for evidence based frameworks to inform practice and enhance the quality of residential care. This article introduces the LHM, a trauma sensitive model developed in Livramento, a residential care setting for children and youth in Portugal. The LHM aims to enhance care quality and improve outcomes for children, caregivers, and families. It is structured around six guiding principles (Protection and Safety; Development and Empowerment; Family and Positive Relationships; Trauma Awareness and Professional Development; Responsive Leadership and Management; Diligent and Systemic Practice) and three interdependent key processes (Leadership and Management, Organizational Culture, and Practice), comprising 22 key areas. Developed through a participatory and collaborative process involving children, families, caregivers, consultants, and institutional partners, the LHM incorporates procedures for assessment, monitoring, and the measurement of social impact. The development of the LHM was challenging and required time, human and financial resources, initiative, and strong organizational commitment. The LHM represents a significant contribution to improving quality and advancing a much needed trauma sensitive approach in Portuguese residential care settings.