Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate and reflect upon the role of the psychosocial judicial staff in the placement phase of the adoption process. Seven psychologists and 11 judicial social workers, from seven cities in southern Brazil, were interviewed. From the content analysis, it was possible to grasp that while placement in most counties is conducted by the team of Juvenile Court, with or without help from the foster care’s staff, in a few counties it is conducted only by teams of foster care. Differences between the practices of professionals were also found, with psychologists in charge of the processes considered more complex, like the late adoption cases. The authors propose reflections about the implications of the differences found on practice, for the role of the psychologist in the placement stage. We conclude that the legal team has a central role in the placement stage, but efforts still need to be employed to achieve a consensual methodology.

Adoption (Child); Legal Processes; Forensic Psychology