The RCQI project aims to develop a Manual of Good Practices - Index of Quality Indicators for Children and Young People with Disabilities or Disabilities in Residential Care to support these institutions in developing quality practices adapted to the needs of these children and young people.

Funded by the La Caixa Foundation, Social Research (LCF/PR/SR22/52570013), the project “Residential Care Quality Indicators for Children and Young People with Disabilities” – Index of Quality Indicators for Children and Young People with Disabilities or Disabilities in Residential Care that is being developed at inED – Center for Research & Innovation in Education, its general objective is to develop a Quality Manual through participatory methodologies, with the participation of professionals from these institutions, experts in the field and children and young people with disabilities or inability.

This manual aims to support institutions in the self-assessment process, supporting the analysis of their practices and needs; development and implementation of an improvement plan; evaluation of this process in order to promote the development and well-being of children/young people with disabilities.

In Portugal, as is the case globally, there is a high representation of children and young people with disabilities in residential care (Cheatham et al., 2020;ISSIP, 2021). Combined with literature data that indicate a greater likelihood of learning difficulties in children/young people in residential care, having a disability puts children at increased risk of school failure, reduced participation in life contexts and less access to opportunities in the transition to adult life.

Therefore, the quality of residential care services and their adaptation to the needs of these children becomes fundamental to guarantee their optimal development and social inclusion. This project aims to support policymakers, researchers, institutions and professionals in implementing practices and mechanisms that improve the quality of care provided to children and young people with disabilities, considering their specific needs to promote their overall development and inclusion.