Help to religious carers

I refer to the letter Reflections On Allegations Over Institute (May 25) by Sr Jacqueline Jones.

The intention of this letter, as stated by Sr Jones, was to raise awareness on the work conditions of religious staff working in children’s homes. Sr Jones also reflects on the daily work that the religious staff are entrusted with, including the care of the children who are living in residential care. It is the reality of these vulnerable children that they require quality, professional and sensitive care so as to be able to deal with their sufferings, emotions and accept the reality of the circumstances of their lives.

The government acknowledges the sterling work that the various religious orders are doing in this area. In her letter, Sr Jones is depicting a bleak scenario for the looked-after children system, giving the impression that the religious orders have been left alone swimming in deep waters. Over the last 10 years, the government not only acknowledged the strains that the religious orders face but has been committed in providing human, as well as financial resources, to the sector.

The out-of-home care system does not consist only of the residential care system but includes also the fostering system. In recent years, the government introduced the child-in-care benefit – an allowance of €70 per child per week to provide for the care of these children. It is up to the respective religious orders to administer these funds in a way to help them in the daily operations of the homes.

Apart from this allowance, the government provides other resources through the support services of care workers to assist the children with challenging behaviour. One must also mention the looked-after children and fostering teams of Aġenzija Appoġġ whose caseload is dedicated wholly to these children. Apart from this, in recent years, the government has negotiated various service contracts with religious orders and voluntary organisations so as to continue actively supporting the needs of these vulnerable children.

The government invests in the care and protection of these children something in the region of €11,000 per year for every child who is in out-of-home care.

Sr Jones ends her letter accusing the government of the lack of interest when in reality the government is in constant contact with the Church authorities mainly through the Ejjew Għandi office to explore ways of further collaboration on the matter.