Nuria Fuentes-Peláez, Researcher, University of Barcelona, Spain 

Crescencia Pastor, Researcher, University of Barcelona, Spain 

MªAngels Balsells, Researcher, University of Lleida, Spain  

Support in reunification: a way to give continuity during foster care « It has been observed that the relationship between the Biological Family and the Foster Family has a direct influence on the wellbeing of the foster child (Baker, McHale, Strozier, & Cecil, 2010; Cantos et al., 1997; Fuentes-Peláez, Amorós, Balsells, Mateos, & Violant, 2013). When there is a conflictive relationship between the Biological Family and the Foster Family, children experience hugely ambivalent feelings: happiness about seeing their parents conflicts with the guilt of betraying their foster family, whom they also love (Cantos et al., 1997).  The program “Walking Family” (Balsells et al. 2015) is aimed at families with children between 8 and 16 years old who are in foster care or residential care. Its purpose is to enable families to accept the child protection measure, facilitate the return of children into the family home and to strengthen reunification. This communication presents the part of the program focused in the adaptation process which it is develop by foster careers. In the framework of the program, the foster career can use a variety of techniques and strategies aimed to help children ways to adapt to the foster care and improve the quality of the visits and contacts to ensure a positive outcome.

Key-words: reunification, support program, visits, adaptation to foster care