Family Minister rues limited interest in fostering unwanted children’

Working hand in hand with the fostering team at the Agenzija Appogg and the National Foster Carers Associations (NFCAM), the P4Y this weekend are organising a workshop aimed at improving foster care relationships.

Describing the P4Y as a ‘welcome initiative’, Cristina said that at its beginning the idea of a foster care system was seen as something "risky".

“15 years ago there existed a lot of scepticism around foster care,” Cristina said. “People were afraid of the idea due to the small size of Malta and everyone knowing each other.”

However, she said, with the determination of the foster care team, today there are around 200 children who have found a home in foster families. “You have opened your hearts to these children who needed a home,” Cristina told the foster parents at the workshop. “You are giving these children a happier life in what has now become their family.”

Cristina explained that when issuing a care order, children are now longer under the care and custody of their natural parents. “These care orders are issued only in exceptional cases,” she said explaining that these could involve cases of serious illnesses to abuse or if children are living at risk. “The ultimate aim of the care order is to try and place the children back in their natural family in the least possible time.”

Whilst reminding of the beneficial work which orphanages and other similar institutions do, Cristina stressed that one can never underestimate the power of family love. “The children’s place will always be at the heart of a loving and caring family,” Cristina reiterated.

“We acknowledge all the help that foster parents need to take care of these children. During this Budget €400,000 have been allocated to help children find their place in a foster family.”

She also acknowledged the fact that whatever one does in this sector, it is never enough. "The need for more social workers, carers, psychologists and more will never cease."

“The Fostering Law which came into force in 2007 not only serves as a guideline to foster parents and institutions, but it also gives stability to the child’s welfare,” she said. "Even though I am very satisfied with this law, in three years time it might need amendment to keep up with the changing times."

Whilst fostering refers to someone taking care of someone else’s child where the  birth parents do not lose their legal rights, in the cases of adoption, birth parents lose all legal rights.

Speaking to MaltaToday, Cristina admitted that there is an anomaly with the adoption law. “Maltese courts have the right to free for adoption a baby who after 18 months since its birth, it sees that its birth parents are not going to take care of it. However this law is not practiced in Malta.”

Cristina explained that it is important for a child to find stability within a permanent family. “There are cases were birth parents do not want to give up their parental rights over their children, even though their children have been living all their life with foster families,” Cristina said.

“However, upon reaching the age of 18, the now teenager can decide himself to be adopted by his foster family.”