Foster care team leader John Rolé, whose transfer from Aġenzija Appoġġ fuelled controversy and sparked an online petition, has been reinstated following direct intervention by the Prime Minister.

Government sources told Times of Malta that following the reaction of protest from foster parents and social workers, Joseph Muscat asked Social Solidarity Minister Michael Farrugia to reinstate him.

Mr Rolé, 58, has been working in foster care since 1996 and had a crucial role in its establishment in Malta.

Under the previous administration, he also used to form part of the Children and Young Persons Advisory Board, which makes provisions for the care of minors.

On Monday, this newspaper was informed that he had been transferred to another post within the Ministry for the Family and Social Solidarity – a post that had nothing to do with fostering.

An outcry ensued, with foster parents saying he was unmatched in his qualifications for the job and describing his transfer as “devastating”.

The government sources said he was removed following an internal disagreement with people at the government’s Foundation for Social Welfare Services, under whose umbrella the agency falls.

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

During a press conference yesterday morning, prior to events developing in the way they did, Dr Farrugia told journalists that Mr Rolé would remain working in the field of fostering, albeit in a new role.

“His long experience should not be lost, and the government plans to keep using his services and capabilities. The decision to remove him was taken as he can contribute in a different role,” Dr Farrugia had said.

He declined to give any further details, saying that he would first inform Mr Rolé of his new post.

The decision to retain him as foster care team leader was then taken following a meeting between the minister and Mr Rolé, the ministry’s spokeswoman later said.

She said he would also be training other people and would form part of a team consulting the minister on the setting up of a fostering agency, which was part of the Labour Party’s electoral manifesto.

Daniela Zerafa, a social work lecturer at the University of Malta and a foster parent, said the U-turn spawned a number of question marks.

“As foster carers, we’re thrilled that the situation has been reversed. However, it leads us to question: why was John removed so unceremoniously in the first place?

“There were no complaints of malpractice – his work in the field was excellent.

“What would have happened if there hadn’t been such a large public outcry at his removal?

“Children would have missed out on the services of a person who truly puts their interests before everything else.”

The explanation offered, she said, was not adequate. Was Mr Rolé removed so that he could be shut up?

“The entire situation shows that there is so much more to be done in the sector of children in foster and residential care.

“A lot of questions remain to be answered.”

kim.dalli@timesofmalta.com

Additional reporting by Keith Micallef.