Scoping Review Protocol: Mapping Parameters for Text Retrieval and Analysis in Foster Care Guidelines (2015–2024)

Introduction: Foster care is a critical intervention for children who cannot remain safely in their biological families due to abuse, neglect, or other adverse circumstances. This protocol outlines the methodological approach for a scoping review focused on parameters used in foster care guidelines, specifically examining how guidelines are constructed, implemented, and evaluated. Methods and Analysis: The scoping review will follow the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Studies pub-lished from 2015 onwards, in English, focusing on children and adolescents in foster care, foster parents, and child protective services will be included. Data sources include ProQuest, PsycINFO, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and grey literature. Two independent reviewers will screen titles/abstracts and conduct full-text assessments. Extracted data will be synthesized the-matically and descriptively. Ethics and Dissemination: Ethical approval is not required. Findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journals, academic conferences, and stakeholder meetings.