‘Overcoming the challenges in helping clients enter and stay in employment’ was the theme discussed during a recent staff event within the Foundation for Social Welfare Services.
The foundation incorporates Aġenzija Appoġġ, Aġenzija Sedqa and Aġenzija Sapport, which offer a wide spectrum of services in various fields related to children, the family, addictions and disability.
CEO Sina Bugeja opened the event by making reference to the foundation’s logo launched earlier this year which provided a new corporate image – symbolising the synergy between the three agencies which fall under the same foundaiton.
Ms Bugeja said Aġenzija Sedqa would be operating on a wider spectrum, covering areas and services provided by Appoġġ and Sapport. She also mentioned the merge between Appoġġ and Sedqa services, now known as Youth Infocus, which offers a more holistic service for youth.
Several structural projects, such as the extension of Aġenzija Appoġġ’s premises in Guarda-manġia and the new offices for Aġenzija Sapport were also mentioned.
Ms Bugeja also spoke about Sapport’s 10th anniversary and several improvements in the disability sector, such as the development of individualised support plans for clients benefiting from day services.
Foundation president Lawrence Zammit stressed the importance of improving and adapting the services offered by the agencies to meet client requirements. Since society was constantly changing and new issues found themselves on the national agenda, services needed to be able to meet demands.
HR, research and EU projects and group senior manager Anthony Apap, discussed the importance of effective communication between management and staff, such as performance appraisals, which ultimately lead to a better service.
Saviour Rizzo, lecturer, Centre of Labour Studies, University of Malta, spoke about employability and coping with the new realities of the world of work while focusing on employment as part of social inclusion.
Claudia Vella, a specialised trainer on open space technology, introduced this concept, which was used during several discussion groups between management and staff. These groups helped employees discuss the main theme of the event.
The foundation employs around 700 employees, most of whom are graduates in social sciences, staff within the medical profession and support workers in residential settings. The foundation also facilitates voluntary work and has a number of programmes run by volunteers.
For more information, visit www.fsws.gov.mt, or www.appogg.gov.mt, www.sedqa.gov.mt and www.sapport.gov.mt.