Commissioner for Children Sonia Camilleri expressed her pleasure that the Labour Party vision statement on the family discussed all the issues that concern children, according to a statement issued by the Labour Party.

Mrs Camilleri was speaking during a meeting with a delegation from the Labour Party led by Opposition Leader Alfred Sant.

She said that the statement discusses not only what goes on in a household, but also how the issues of justice, education, health and social services affect children’s lives.

Mrs Camilleri pointed out that parents cannot abdicate responsibility for the first few years of their children’s life to teachers.

“There is a need for religion lessons that are relevant to people’s lives, more personal and social development (PSD) lessons, and creative media lessons,” said Mrs Camilleri.

The Commissioner also spoke about the needs of teenage mothers. “These girls need support to continue their formal education and complete their exams. Unfortunately, once they become pregnant, many are at risk of poverty.”

She also spoke about the need for laws on fostering and called for amendments to the adoption law, as many couples are becoming discouraged.

“Unfortunately many children with challenging behaviour, some as young as five years old, are placed in Mount Carmel. This only makes the problem worse as they should not be sent there. However, there is nowhere else they can be sent.”

Mrs Camilleri also pointed out that there are not enough places in children’s homes for children who have been abused by their relatives.

She said she was pleased the statement also discussed the shortage of professional social workers.

“However, I also believe that the only social agency on the island should not close its offices at five pm and at the weekend,” said Mrs Camilleri.

Dr Sant thanked Mrs Camilleri for her suggestions and said that they would be taken into consideration.

Labour spokesperson for Social Solidarity Marie Louise Coleiro Preca was also present during the discussion.