Senior social worker John Rolé will be retained as foster care team leader at Aġenzija Appoġġ, the Social Policy Ministry has decided.

Mr Rolé had been transferred from his long-held post to the consternation of many foster parents who described his removal as “absolutely devastating”.

A spokeswoman for the ministry said that the decision to remove Mr Rolé had been taken by Appoġġ and the minister was presented with a fait accompli.

Former foster care team leader John Rolé.Former foster care team leader John Rolé.

The spokeswoman said that following a meeting between the minister and Mr Rolé, a decision was taken to retain Mr Rolé as foster care team leader.

Moreover, Mr Rolé will also be training other people and form part of a team consulting the minister on the setting up of a fostering agency.

Earlier today, the minister said Mr Rolé was to remain involved in the foster care sector (see video).

Asked why he had been removed from his position, the minister insisted that Mr Rolé experience was not going to be lost as he was to remain involved.

The Nationalist Party this morning also expressed disappointment at the decision and insisted that the government should rethink the situation for the benefit of children and young people who required fostering.

Nationalist Party leader Simon Busuttil signed an online petition in support of Mr Rolé.

Dr Busuttil later welcomed the decision to retain Mr Rolé. "Glad to see that John Role' has been reinstated. We will continue pressuring the government to ensure that Maltese and Gozitan citizens truly get what they deserve," Dr Busuttil said.

Mr Rolé, 58, has been working in the field since 1996. He had a crucial role in setting up foster care in Malta and under the previous administration he also sat on the Children and Young Persons Advisory Board, which makes provisions for the care of minors.

He was described by parents yesterday as being unmatched in his qualifications to be team leader of fostering.

I am really worried about the future of fostering

When contacted, Mr Rolé declined to comment, saying that all questions should be referred to the head office.

When contacted, a spokeswoman from the Family Ministry said that the ministry believed that the staff within the Foundation for Social Welfare Services (FSWS) had the ability to work in different posts while obtaining good results.

“Mr Rolé is no exception. The management of FSWS believes that mobility of employees within the foundation is healthy as it gives the opportunity for a more holistic approach by its dedicated professionals. FSWS and Appoġġ management can assure that the quality of service will be a positive one where the best interest of their clients is the main priority.”

Meanwhile, sources have told this newspaper that Mr Rolé was devastated at his transfer, which came as a shock to him yesterday morning.

They said he often submitted internal critique about the system.

A foster parent, who did not wish to be named, said she was “distraught” at his transfer.

“He was such an incredibly dedicated and experienced man – I am really worried about the future of fostering as his help, even during late hours and weekends, was essential to cope with difficult situations.

Another foster parent said she was “absolutely furious” at his removal, adding that Mr Rolé was there for foster parents who couldn’t speak up for fear of having their foster children placed out of their care.

She added that she was not happy with the advisory board as the members often made decisions affecting the lives of children whom they had not even met. “He was our lifeline. He had a special way of explaining an issue to the board. He was calm and gentle – I’ve seen children screaming blue murder at Appoġġ but he had this way of calming them down. He knew every single child by name – he knew their history and their biological parents.

“I do not know how they had the audacity to tell the man abruptly on a Monday morning. There is no excuse for his replacement – it’s bad enough that the advisory board changes with every new government. There is nobody more qualified than him.”

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