Aġenzija Appoġġ insisted this afternoon that care orders are issued only when absolutely necessary and after proper investigation.

The agency was reacting to press reports of a judicial letter filed in court on Monday by the mother of a nine-year-old boy who called on the agency to lift a care order on her son, imposed 13 months ago. She also claimed that her son was in such a desperate condition, that he was receiving psychological treatment after suicide attempts.

The agency said it protected the identity of all its clients and thus could not comment on individual cases.

"Aġenzija Appoġġ ensures that in all cases where there is the need to issue a Care Order, this only happens when this is necessary and after the Agency has carried out all the necessary investigations and took other actions to ensure the protection of the minors involved. Each decision is taken in the best interest of the minors," the agency said.

"According to Maltese law that regulates Care Orders, parents who feel that their child has been taken unfairly have the right to appeal this decision in the Juvenile Court. Thus, when a Care Order is issued, parents may appeal during a period of up to 21 days from the issue of the Care Order. They would also be invited to attend for the Child Protection Case Conference in which both children and parents are given the opportunity to voice their opinion, as well as given the reasons why the Care Order was issued. This happens before a decision is taken whether the Care Order has to be confirmed or lifted. As stipulated by law, if the decision taken is appealed by parents their complaint is passed on to the Juvenile Court who revises the case and decides whether the Care Order is confirmed or otherwise."

Appogg said each case is revised every six months, where professionals involved evaluate the situation and propose a care plan for the minors to the Children and Young Persons' Advisory Board.

This board is independent from Aġenzija Appoġġ and set up by law. Both children and parents, if it is in the best interest of the children, are involved in drafting of the care plan. Apart from this, parents may also request to meet the board to voice their opinion.

The board evaluates the care plan and forwards recommendations to the Minister responsible. This plan is implemented after all this process of evaluation and approvals is completed.

"It is important to emphasise that in all this process, the interests and protection of the minors remain at the centre of each decision taken," Appoġġ said.