Does welcoming, in fact, mean protecting? Inside a children's and youth shelter located in the countryside of Pernambuco

Abstract

The present article analyzes the reality of a child and adolescent care institution in the Agreste region of Pernambuco, questioning whether the measure effectively fulfills its protective function. The objective was to engage in dialogue with the institution's technical team to identify factors that increase suffering and propose intervention strategies. The methodology was based on action-research, using semi-structured interviews and group dynamics workshops as collection instruments. Data analysis was grounded in Laurence Bardin's Content Analysis. Results revealed a scenario of social invisibility, overcrowding, precarious working conditions, lack of basic supplies, and an absence of mental health support for those in care. Furthermore, the failure of municipal care services and challenges such as teenage pregnancy and episodes of violence were highlighted. The final considerations reinforce that institutional care can intensify suffering when institutions reproduce rights violations, making it urgent to expand public debate and strengthen the comprehensive protection network.