With reference to the article entitled New standards to ensure quality of services to children in care (TMID, 6 July), I would like to add a few points to clarify any misconceptions that might have arisen from this article.

In Malta, the implementation process of the standards of care has been initiated by and falls under the responsibility of the Department for Social Welfare Standards (DSWS), which is in the process of becoming the regulatory body of social care standards in Malta.

The DSWS set up a working group that has been formulating the standards of care for looked-after children based on the Quality4Children standards that were formally presented to the European parliament in June. This working group is representative of the sector and includes the participation of children who are in care and who have been in care.

The chairperson of the working group, Marian Muscat Azzopardi, was also invited to attend the official presentation of the Quality4Children to the European parliament because there is a clear recognition of the importance of the implementation phase of the standards.

Together with the other two participants, Ms Muscat Azzopardi also represented Malta in this important endeavour.

Dr Kenneth Grech

Director, Department

Social Welfare Standards

St Venera