27 prospective foster carers to take on role next month

Twenty-seven prospective foster carers would have received training by next month to take on their role, Appoġġ agency said.

Since the launch of the government's 10-year strategy to improve children's services, the agency has embarked on a campaign to raise more awareness on fostering in order to raise the number of carers and facilitate placements.

It has since received 43 enquiries from prospective foster carers but a social worker believes their increased allowance is not sufficient encouragement.

Vince Tonna, chairman of Caritas's Marsascala Diaconia Commission, a foster carer himself, maintains that the allowance does not come close to what other carers receive despite the fact that it involved a 24-hour commitment.

Appoġġ is following 49 children in their own homes. They include those who were re-integrated within their natural family as part of their care plan; others who were in care but whose placement broke down and no alternatives have been identified yet; and children waiting to be matched to a suitable foster placement or residential care.

The agency stressed that the best place for such children was always within a family environment.