The Social Security Institute (Instituto da Segurança Social or ISS) has confirmed that the 'Mestre Cuco' nursery in Almada met all necessary operational criteria during its last unannounced inspection in September 2025. This follows the tragic death of an 18-month-old child who was found inside a school vehicle on Thursday. The Judiciary Police (Polícia Judiciária or PJ) are currently investigating the circumstances of the incident.
Social Security confirms nursery met all operational requirements
Friday, 24 July 2026AI summary
Context & Explainers
The Social Security Institute (Instituto da Segurança Social) is the public agency that runs Portugal’s social security system, administering pensions, unemployment benefits, family support and local social services. It also coordinates emergency social responses through local offices and mobile teams — for example, the institute mobilized over 200 technicians after recent storms and supported 1,537 displaced people as of 14 February; residents affected should contact their local Social Security office or municipal authority for assistance.
The PJ (Polícia Judiciária) is Portugal's national criminal investigation police agency, founded in 1945. Operating under the Ministry of Justice and supervised by the Public Ministry (prosecutors), the PJ is a "higher criminal police body" specializing in serious and complex crimes. Mission: The PJ assists judicial and prosecuting authorities by investigating terrorism, organized crime, homicide, kidnapping, drug trafficking, corruption, cybercrime, financial crime, and money laundering. It conducts forensic examinations, operates Portugal's Interpol and Europol liaison offices, and maintains specialized units including the National Counterterrorism Unit and National Anti-Corruption Unit. Difference from PSP/GNR: While PSP (civilian urban police) and GNR (military rural police) focus on preventive policing, public order, and investigating minor crimes, the PJ exclusively handles serious crime investigation requiring specialized technical and scientific expertise. PSP and GNR report to the Ministry of Internal Affairs; PJ reports to the Ministry of Justice. PJ officers receive higher pay and prestige but face greater operational risk.
5 sources
- Baby's death: Mayor of Almada says 'competent services' are taking steps to 'establish the facts'dn.pt ·
- Social Security guarantees that the Almada nursery that owned the car where an 18-month-old baby died met all criteriacmjornal.pt ·
- Social Security guarantees that the Almada nursery where a baby died in a car met all criteriacnnportugal.iol.pt ·
- Social Security says Almada nursery met criteriaobservador.pt ·
- Almada nursery where baby died in vehicle met all criteria, says Social Securityrtp.pt ·
