Residential care, housing and social policy: rethinking child protection in the Greek welfare state

Purpose This study aims to examine housing and child protection policies in Greece, focusing on the transition from institutional care to alternative models such as foster care, adoption and semi-independent living. Despite the enactment of Law 4538/2018, child protection in the country remains entrenched in institutional structures that are considered outdated and ineffective. Design/methodology/approach This research combines legislative analysis, literature review and qualitative field research through semistructured interviews with child protection professionals. Thematic data analysis enables a deeper understanding of the challenges and deficiencies within Greece’s child care system. Findings This study reveals that despite legislative reforms, institutional care remains predominant due to inadequate state support for alternative care models. Foster care and adoption processes remain mired in bureaucracy, while semi-independent living arrangements remain underdeveloped. Chronic resource shortages, understaffed social services and the absence of transitional support mechanisms for care leavers hinder the implementation of sustainable alternatives. Furthermore, deinstitutionalization policies are often used for political messaging rather than being meaningfully implemented. Research limitations/implications This study primarily examines the Greek case using qualitative data, which may limit the generalizability of its findings. Future research could expand the analysis through cross-country comparisons or strengthen the conclusions with quantitative data – provided such data are collected and made publicly available by relevant European and national authorities. Practical implications The findings highlight the need to revise child protection policies, with an emphasis on improving alternative care policies, strengthening social services and developing support mechanisms for children transitioning out of institutions. Social implications Maintaining the institutional model has serious social consequences, as it exacerbates the social exclusion of children and undermines their psychosocial development. Transitioning to a more human-centered child care system can enhance social inclusion and reduce the inequalities faced by children without family support. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study provides the first comprehensive and critical assessment of Greece’s child protection system through the lens of housing policy, highlighting systemic dysfunctions and structural weaknesses in alternative care provisions. Simultaneously, it contributes to the global discourse on transitioning from institutional care to more contemporary, socially integrated housing solutions for minors.