The number of care orders has gone down over the past two years because of a policy change and a new service, Times of Malta is informed.

According to data provided by the Foundation for Social Welfare Services, the number of care orders gradually increased from 15 in 2001, to a peak of 51 in 2011 and just eight last year.

The number of referrals received by the Child Protection Services was 728 in 2011, rose to 874 in 2015 and fell to 790 in 2016.

A total of 370 referrals were made in the first half of last year.

Foundation for Social Welfare Services CEO Alfred Grixti

For foundation CEO Alfred Grixti, an increase in the number of referrals is a sign of more awareness and sensitivity. He noted that care orders peaked in 2006 (36) and dropped by half the following year. The number then went up again and reached 51 in 2011, dropping to 34 in 2012.

There have been fewer care orders over the past few years because of a change in policy and the introduction of a new service, he pointed out.

Mr Grixti said that during a best practices seminar in Italy the foundation was exposed to a new methodology. A new service had been launched in Italy through which families risking a child’s removal were assigned an educatore – a key worker – who supported them to get back on track. In Malta, the foundation started taking a similar approach.

Home-Based Therapeutic Services director Claire Sammut, who previously worked with vulnerable families in the London Borough of Lewisham, told this newspaper the aim was to reach out to the families and assess their needs within the challenging context of their homes.

The service started as an evidence-based pilot project two years ago. The supported families, mostly referred by Child Protection, are provided support that may allow the children to remain at home if the situation improves.

Ms Sammut said that the approach was multi-disciplinary and included social workers, psychotherapists, councillors and family therapists, among others. The families’ situations were reviewed every three months.

The service is managing a total of 114 cases, and Ms Sammut acknowledges there are instances when things do not get better, an interim care order procedure is triggered, and the team continues to work with the family.

Aġenzija Appoġġ operations director Ruth Sciberras described the care order process as being a thorough one. It started with reports about neglect or abuse of varying levels.

Sometimes the parents cooperated and got back on the right track. Others persisted in their old ways, demonstrating their inability to take care of their children. “This is not necessarily because they do not love them, but they may lack the parenting skills to be good role models for their children,” she said, adding that the process that kicked off to take children out of a risky environment was called an interim care order.

Unless facing an emergency, the professionals drew up a detailed report, signed by the CEO, and asked the Family Minister to authorise the care order.

The ensuing physical removal of the children was the worse part of the process, a “trauma” for all involved, including the professionals, Ms Sciberras said.

The children’s welfare is then assessed and the professionals consider the options of parental access. The professionals then have 21 days during which to decide where the children should be cared for: at home, in a foster family or at a children’s home.

If a care order were issued, the parents had another 21 days to appeal it. Throughout, child protection was a shared responsibility among welfare professionals, Ms Sciberras noted.

Access to the FSWS

How many migrant children are currently living in an out-of-home care placement?

There are 40.

Migrants have full access to the Foundation for Social Welfare Services and receive support and guidance on various issues (including parenting, emotional support, childcare issues, homelessness and employment opportunities) primarily from Community Services, Intake and Family Support Services and the Hospital Social Work Service. This often entails linking them to other services.

When the children are deemed to be at risk or suffering abuse, an out-of-home care placement is considered.

Some migrant children are placed in out-of-home care due to challenges faced by the family, including parental mental health, employment and a need for support in caring for their children.

In situations of serious risk or abuse, a care order is issued. This follows the same process as that for other Maltese children.

Are there any children waiting for a placement?

Twenty-six children are awaiting an out-of-home placement.

Once a child or youth is identified as requiring an out-of-home care placement, a referral is made to the services or entities providing out-of-home care, including Fostering and Residential Services. A matching process is undertaken so that the best placement can be offered.

Until an adequate placement is found, the children are identified as needing an out-of-home care placement.­