Special care for children

The theme chosen by the Ministry for the Family and Social Solidarity to celebrate this year's World Children's Day, on November 20, is Towards A Better Welfare For Children.

Under this all-encompassing umbrella comes the possibility for the state to intervene in the removal of a child from its own family. This is in accordance with the Children and Young Persons (Care Orders) Act and the United Nations' Convention on the Rights of the Child. Naturally, this occurs only when all other routes have been explored and when it is determined that this would be in the best interests of the child.

Such children are "entitled to special protection and assistance" which has to be provided by the state, which is also in duty bound to find an alternative placement for the child, with foster care preferred to institutional care.

In recent years, it has become increasingly difficult to place the growing number of children and young persons with challenging behaviour and/or disability in institutions or foster care. Both the institutions and the prospective foster carers are finding it very hard to look after them without added support since they require particular, costly and special care.

As a result, the Ministry for the Family and Social Solidarity is launching a new scheme providing added support to foster carers of such children under a care order. The scheme aims to place more children within a family environment, which, in turn, would enhance the value of care and protection offered by the state.

Under this new scheme, the Children and Young Persons Advisory Board will recommend payment for special activities for children who manifest challenging behaviour, are victims of sexual and/or severe physical abuse and/or severe neglect, have severe disabilities, suffer from mental health conditions, or are medically fragile or require specialised medical care.

Particular attention should be given to the care package offered to children who exhibit more than one category as they are more vulnerable and in need.

Under this new scheme a child in foster placement could benefit from a maximum of Lm1,200 a year. This would depend on the special needs of the child, to be determined following a detailed assessment. A proposed care plan would be reviewed at least every six months or as deemed necessary by the board. It is important that targets for the child are set to attain the necessary added support through the financing of the care activities established in the care plan.

Finally, when considering added support to a child under care order in foster care, one would need to ensure that the necessary matching for a successful placement has been made.

Foster carers have to be trained, assessed and approved by the Fostering Panel prior to being given approval for added support. The carers must be willing to be trained, assessed, monitored, supervised and to attend support groups provided or organised by Agenzija Appogg through its Fostering Service.

They must be committed to accepting children with particular problems and needs in their homes and to caring for them, to provide them with a safe and nurturing environment, as well as persevere in teaching them more effective skills.

Ultimately, our goal is to build up a stronger child, within a caring and family environment.

Mr Magro is policy coordinator at the Ministry for the Family and Social Solidarity.