Most Lourdes Home children re-housed, future of home undecided - ministry

Most of the children who used to live in Lourdes Home in Gozo have now been re-housed and the others will move in due time, when it is most appropriate for them, the Ministry for Social Policy said.

In a statement about the Home, which was at the centre of controversy over abuse claims, the ministry explained how it had been supporting the home in the interests of the children.

The ministry said it became aware through an official letter by the Mother Superior of the Dominican Sisters on February 14, 2008, that her congregation was unable to continue providing accommodation and welfare to children, due to various reasons that they listed.

At the time Agenzija Appogg explored the possibility of providing a limited service of care workers, in line with government policy to support church homes which cared for children who needed more than average support.

"However while the Mother Superior appreciated this type of help, she stated that the decision of the Order was to stop this type of work. In a second letter dated April 6, she re-affirmed her position and insisted for an urgent re-housing of the children."

The ministry noted that at this point the Bishop of Gozo announced how an inquiry he had commission "suggested, that there were acts of a nature that could be described as abuse on the children".

The ministry said this information was very limiting and non specific, prompting more questions than answers, especially for the social workers who had a responsibility to ensure the safety and security of the children.

"During various meetings between the Appogg social workers, psychologists and the Dominican Sisters, all aspects of the situation were evaluated. These case conferences moved concurrently with consultation with the children. The relationship between the children and their social workers had been established for some time and therefore the social workers, together with the Sisters of the home were in a good position to draw conclusion on the best course of action for the children. At every single step, the overriding principle guiding these professionals was, and shall always be, the safety and stability, now and in the future, for these children," the ministry said.

During the deliberations, issues of personal attachments to the Sisters and significant other social relationships, schooling, family, siblings, as well as the children's own wishes, were considered alongside long term issues of security, stability and quality of care.

"The final decision was that the best interest of the children was to re-house them with foster carers or other church homes. A care plan was drawn for each and every child and for those under a care order; these plans were also accepted by the Children and Young Persons Advisory Board."

As the social workers worked on the placements, the Ministry for Social Policy also provided care workers, to support the Sisters during this difficult period. This arrangement worked well.

"During a high level meeting called by the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry where the Commissioner for Children was present, a decision was taken to provide support to the Sisters on a temporary basis, until a placement was found for the children. In fact the Ministry for Social Policy accepted this suggestion and acted promptly."

The ministry said that while a secure placement had been found for all the children, the future of Lourdes Home needed evaluation and discussion.

"This is true for any structure, but more so in the case of a sensitive service such as the care and welfare of children in residential care. The development of the children's sector needs to be well thought out and that decisions are consistent with the right strategy for children's welfare. All other decisions will flow naturally from this direction."

The ministry said it remained committed to safeguarding the best interests of the children with particular reference to developing systems that provided stability and development for children who needed care outside their natural home.

"The Ministry reaffirms the important role that the church plays in this sector and while acknowledging that the methods and mode of care for children is changing, this does not in any way preclude the church from playing a major role in this important development. In this respect Government will continue with its dialogue with the church to improve the systems and services."