The causes for this continuous rise over five years are diverse and reflect a new social reality combining more mental health issues, increased addictions, greater precariousness, smaller family units, and more immigration. These factors have led to heightened awareness of societal problems and improved detection by institutions and social agents.
The most visible aspect of the child welfare system involves supervised flats and residences, which cater to one-fifth of all minors entering the Department of Care and Social Policies' services. However, various intervention methods exist, all sharing the goal of assisting minors in situations of neglect or vulnerability, emphasizing «good social treatment».
The 2,854 minors attended in 2025 more than double the figure from 2010 (1,347). This evident increase is explained by the Department as a result of improved detection of issues previously unseen, coupled with preventative efforts, leading to the care of more minors who do not require more intensive measures.
Furthermore, societal transformation plays a role. «There are many more mental health and addiction problems. There is also more immigration, not just unaccompanied minors, but families arriving from complex migratory backgrounds or mothers with children facing initial difficulties». Additionally, «families are more isolated, and what was once supported by society now requires our intervention». Finally, increased awareness encourages «families to express their need for help more readily when facing challenging situations».
The access section is the primary entry point for minors into the Diputación's care. Last year, 1,676 minors received attention through this service; 68% were local residents, and the remaining 32% were immigrants without family ties in Gipuzkoa. Issues concerning a minor can be identified by families, health centers, or schools, with cases referred to municipal social services. The relevant team conducts an initial assessment, and in «most cases», intervention with the minor's family is determined. If the situation is «high risk or neglect», it is escalated to the Diputación for specialized evaluation.
The protocol in social policies often uses a healthcare analogy. A patient visits a general practitioner for an initial assessment and treatment plan. This role is fulfilled by the social services of Gipuzkoa's 88 municipalities. If unsuccessful, the patient is referred to a specialist who decides whether to return them to the GP or retain them. The provincial entity serves this specialist function. «Many cases do not reach us and should not, and most that do are usually returned to the municipalities».
Last year, 870 minors received support through family intervention and socio-educational programs for families. As of December 31st, half of the minors within the provincial network were under this modality, totaling 985 out of 1,858.
Of the 1,858 minors in the provincial network, 25% were in foster families and 21% in residential facilities or flats. Minors ending up in residential or family care are typically cases of higher «intensity» following a judicial guardianship measure, which falls to the public social protection entity – in the Basque Country, the provincial councils. The Department of Care and Social Policies assumes responsibility for the minor's protection, delegating guardianship to residential services or family foster care. Regarding the latter, 506 minors were cared for by volunteer families last year, participating in their upbringing and education. The Diputación offers various types of foster care to find new homes.
Based on the relationship with the minor, care includes extended family (grandparents, aunts, uncles), close relations (ties within their environment), and unrelated caregivers. In Gipuzkoa, the Department notes, «we are very fortunate» due to a «significant number» of volunteer families, making this type of care the most common.
Another classification is based on the duration of care. Emergency foster care is typically for young children needing immediate placement, with a maximum duration of six months. Temporary and permanent foster care options also exist. Lastly, a third classification distinguishes between volunteer and professional families, where at least one caregiver possesses specific training and experience for this role, which constitutes their profession. This is primarily for minors facing greater difficulties.
As of December 31st, out of the 1,858 minors the Diputación worked with, 473 were in family foster care. This is 73 more than those in residential care, meaning in supervised flats or residences. The provincial entity operates 512 places across 60 resources. The majority, 462, are in flats, which vary in capacity. «The so-called 'basic' ones accommodate eight people, but there are also facilities for 3-4 people, used for minors nearing adulthood and preparing for emancipation. The remaining 50 places are in residences. These modalities are not rigid, and increasingly, mixed solutions are employed,» state the Diputación. Some minors spend three days a week in a flat and four with their biological family. The Department explains that «for a long time, measures were isolated, but if combining modalities helps sustain the situation, it is done; it's becoming clear that pure measures are not always effective».
Of the 535 minors in provincial flats or residences last year, over two-thirds (364) were local residents, and 171 were immigrants under 18 without family support. The Diputación acknowledges that the increase in this group has «distorted» available provincial places, necessitating expansion. However, the future objective is to «reduce» the number of 512 places to encourage more minors to be cared for and supervised by foster families.
In addition to family intervention, foster care, and residential care, the Diputación de Gipuzkoa also manages or collaborates on temporary stays. These include programs known locally, such as summer hosting for children from Chernobyl or the Sahara, and accommodating minors with illnesses. Last year, a total of 117 minors were supported by the provincial network through its temporary summer stay program.
