This paper reports findings from research conducted in six Romanian residential care homes. The aim of the paper is to examine the views held by young people, currently living in residential care, about the importance of their biological families and the option and challenge of reintegration. The data reflect the ideas and perspectives of 44 young people captured through a narrative interview approach using social mapping activities. The results indicate that most children and young people know at least one birth parent and maintain contact on their own initiative; most do not place a high level of importance on such relationships which are generally characterised by lack of confidence, low security and a presumed limited capacity on the part of the biological family to meet their needs. Family reintegration is considered to be a viable option for a small number of young people; others do not see it as realistic because of the impact of long-term separation and the likelihood of experiencing poorer living conditions.

Objectives: Return to work after chronic disease is important for workers, employers and society. The process, however, is challenging. This article provides an analytical and theoretical framework for explaining this process informed by the person-environment fit theory. Methods: This article uses a narrative method to (1) review the key concepts, benefits and influencing factors in the literature on return to work after chronic diseases, (2) analyse and critique the most important theoretical models used for explaining return to work after chronic diseases, and (3) review the person-environment fit theory and how it has been used so far. Results: The existing models highlight different aspects, but they overlook the relationship between the worker and the employer. An analytical and theoretical framework is proposed to comprehensively explain the worker-employer dynamic. The framework also considers the role of broader factors (policy, labour market) and other stakeholders (health professionals, civil society actors) emphasising the idea that return to work is a phased and cyclical process. Discussion: The framework can be used to guide future qualitative and quantitative studies, or as a map for identifying problematic areas related to the worker or the work environment. The model should be empirically tested in future studies.

This study explores perceptions of risk commonly shared by children and young people living in care system in Romania. The original data, reported here, were gathered through direct interviews with children and young people living in public and private care. In undertaking the research, the authors wanted to challenge dominant, largely media created, representations of the care system in Romania. The aim was to explore the real risks that young people face arising out of their daily experiences. Research data were gathered using a narrative interview approach. Specific forms of risk are identified including: risks arising out of peer and staff relationships, care system policy and practice, external perceptions and beliefs and young people's fear of the future.

Introduction: Although the majority of adoptive families remain stable, some of them break up prematurely.Methods: Adopting a qualitative approach, this study gave voice to seven adoption applicants who began the adoption journey with one or more children but did not complete the legal process. Our goal was to understand their experiences throughout the adoption process and disruption.Results: The results show how adoption applicants went, in a short period, from the excitement of finding a child or sibling group to disillusionment and trauma. The main risk factors that hinder adoption stability include unrealistic expectations, intuitive choice of the child in the absence of accurate information, challenges posed by the child’s particular characteristics, and lack of professional support.Discussion: Our study highlights the need for adopters to be assisted throughout the entire process by specialists, to be better prepared to deal with the complex needs of children in the protection system, and to facilitate their access to a complex of specialized services to meet the different needs of every family.