Abstract

The article looks at a recent reorganization of the Neapolitan local welfare system concerning child poverty by reconstructing socio-educational interventions to support families and children in need. The purpose of the analysis is to describe the contribution of some social-educational activities for children and adolescents in need resulting from «Territorial Education» on two main fronts: 1) Reconfiguration of local child protection policies and interventions involving various community microwelfare experiences, and 2) Support of families' strategies against social exclusion and educational disadvantage. This has been accomplished by exploring institutional social planning documents, by analysing qualitative interviews with public administrators of the Municipality and social workers of third sector organizations, and by life-stories as reported by disadvantaged families.