Wealth of services on offer for families in need

Following the recent dialogues being held about families/couples experiencing difficulties and on the divorce issue on various local media, Aġenzija Appoġġ, within the Foundation for Social Welfare Services, would like to contribute some comments to the discussion.

Aġenzija Appoġġ, as the national agency for children and families in need, always strives to provide all the necessary support to those families who are experiencing difficult times. The staff constantly strives to provide these families with professional care and support.

The agency safeguards and promotes the well-being of these persons through the development and provision of psychosocial welfare services. The agency offers help to any family in difficulty or in crisis, whether the couple is working towards keeping the family together or in circumstances when they are going their separate ways, have initiated separation proceedings or start up a new reconstituted family.

In the light of the divorce debate, the agency remains open to support any person irrespective of his/her views on the issue. However, it will continue to emphasise the well-being and protection of children, young persons and vulnerable adults as being of paramount importance in whatever decisions are taken by persons and families seeking assistance.

Aġenzija Appoġġ emphasises that decisions taken by adults are to be taken not only in their own interest but also in the interest of minors who are affected by these same decisions. Those seeking assistance will continue to be supported in their reflections on these decisions, in the process of receiving help from professionals within the agency.

Aġenzija Appoġġ offers a range of services to families in difficult situations. These include various community services which provide assistance to the family within its community, endeavouring to do so when the problems are still at an initial stage, thus preventing them from escalating. Ultimately this is done for the benefit of the children involved and for the family as a whole. These services are currently provided in Qawra, Birkirkara, Valletta and Cottonera.

In more complex situations, Child Protection Service offers protection to vulnerable children and adolescents under the age of 18 who have been abused and/or neglected or who are at risk. Further assistance is also provided to all family members, including to the offender. The Appoġġ Domestic Violence Services provide assistance to domestic violence victims, perpetrators and even children. Thanks to the Għabex emergency shelter, in urgent cases female victims of domestic violence and their children may be refered to this shelter for refuge and further assistance. Through these services the agency aims to achieve a safe and healthy environment for all family members, promoting healthy relationships and advocating for a zero tolerance towards violence.

Aġenzija Appoġġ also offers Generic Services, which provide the assistance of a social work professional to those families and individuals who are passing through difficult situations and are living in poverty and/or at risk of social exclusion. Through a group of volunteers forming part of Programm Ulied Darna and Home-Start Malta, the agency supports a wide range of families in the upbringing of their children, offering both practical and emotional support.

Families may also avail themselves of other services including family therapy or psychological assistance which focus on providing support and therapeutic intervention to individuals or families who have experienced some kind of trauma or difficult experience in their life. Throughout the provision of services what is needed for each individual case is always taken into consideration.

Additionally, thanks to the Fostering Service and Adoption Service, support is also provided to foster carers as well as families who would like to adopt a child.

All those whose families are passing through difficult times and would like to talk about their experiences or emotions, or seek professional advice may call on Supportline 179.

This is a freephone in operation 24/7, all year round. Persons taking the calls are professionally trained volunteers, under the constant supervision and advice of professional staff, who are ready to listen and refer the case to the service required. Persons calling Supportline 179 can decide to remain anonymous and full confidentiality is guaranteed.

Through its services Aġenzija Appoġġ will continue striving to promote the value of the family and will ensure that the rights of children and of other vulnerable persons are promoted and safeguarded.