The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word MOTHERED
I've seen this crossword clue in The Sunday Telegraph
M
O
T
H
E
R
E
D
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "offered care and protection" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case offered care and protection = mothered.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does MOTHERED mean?
MOTHERED verb- To give birth to or produce (as its female parent) a child. (Compare father.)
- To treat as a mother would be expected to treat her child; to nurture.
- To cause to contain mother.
- (of an alcohol) To develop mother.
- Receiving the care and attention of a mother.
- Thick, like mother (film or membrane on fermented liquids); viscid.