The professional maternal assistant is the natural person, certified according to the law by the Child Protection Commission, who, through the activity carried out at his/her home, ensures the upbringing, care and education necessary for the harmonious development of the children whom he/she receives in foster care or custody.

Only persons who meet the following conditions may be certified as professional maternal assistants:

• have full exercise capacity;

• through their behavior in society, state of health, and psychological profile, provide guarantees for the correct fulfillment of the obligations incumbent on a parent, regarding the upbringing, care, and education of their children;

• have at their disposal a dwelling that covers the needs for food preparation, hygiene, education, and rest for its users, including those of the children to be received in foster care or custody;

• do not carry out salaried activities;

• have attended professional training courses organized by the specialized public child protection service or the authorized private body that conducts the evaluation for granting the certificate of professional maternal assistant.