Only 39 children were fostered for the first time in 2017, bringing the total number of fostered children to 230.

In press conference the launch of the campaign named “Open your heart and your home choose fostering”, Minister of Children’s Rights, Family and Social Solidarity, Michael Falzon said that it is important that the number of children being fostered is increased.

Falzon noted that some families who foster children still feel that they are taking care of a child who will not remain in the family, “which is why this campaign is called open your heart and your home”, he said.

He added there were various realities as to why children cannot live with their biological parents, including sickness, death, drug addiction, incarceration and parents not being suited to raising children. 

He said that while the number of foster parents had increased substantially last year, a number of obstacles remained.

Falzon noted that there was more work to do but acknowledge that the government’s increase in foster parents ‘allowances, from € 70 to €100 per week, was a considerable step forward.

He noted that a third of the last budget had been dedicated to the social sector and that a new grant for parents choosing to adopt was in the pipeline, as was a law on the protection of children.

According to statistics provided by foundation for Social Welfare Services, out of the 230 children who are were in foster care in 2017, 64 were voluntary cases, 132 cases of Order Protection and 34 cases of a Court Order.

Foundation for Social Welfare Services Chairman Alfred Grixti said that 26 million children and youth live in poverty and social exclusion in Europe. In Malta, roughly half of the children who are unable to live with their biological family live with foster families while the other half still live in children’s homes operated through an agreement between the church and the government

Josephine Muscat from Agenzija Appogg said the agency holds a number courses and provided the necessary assistance to those interested in fostering children, through a team of eight full-time social workers.

For more information on Fostering:

•       Tel: 2295 9000

•       Mob: 9901 0533

•       Email: [email protected]

•       Facebook page: www.facebook.com/fosteringmalta/