Foster carers can adopt children after five years, new law proposes

Foster carers who have had a minor in their custody for more than five years will be able to file a court request to adopt the child, a new Bill aiming to protect children’s rights is proposing.

The bill, which has the support of both the government and Opposition, also proposes giving foster carers the right to travel abroad with their foster child after notifying the child protection agency.

In a press conference held in the government's room in Parliament, Children’s Rights Minister Michael Falzon said that there shouldn’t be any political sides taken in a law which will be protecting the most vulnerable people in our society – children.

Falzon highlighted that the bill which will be presented in Parliament was drawn up after an intense consultation stage with professionals and stakeholders. “This is what really stood out when it was being drafted… We listened to everyone’s opinion.”

He was joined by Nationalist Party MP Claudio Grech, who said that the Opposition believed the proposed new legal framework – which will now go through the second reading in Parliament and through the committee stage – would lead to the improved safeguarding of minors.

“The message I will take to our parliamentary group is that legislators have to do all they can to prevent any child from having their childhood taken away from them,” Grech said.

He said the Opposition would be bringing forth amendments and proposals, but that they would be constantly keeping in mind that what was paramount was to guarantee that children’s interests come first.

Another change being proposed by the Bill is the creation of a “special guardian” for the most vulnerable of children, such as unaccompanied minors who come to Malta.

All professionals who deal with children would also have a mandatory reporting duty to inform the relevant authorities of any known or suspected abuse cases, and if such a report is done in good faith, the person reporting it would not be charged with any offence if it turns out that no wrongdoing actually took place.

Any institution or entity which receives a report of child abuse will also have to register it with the police or the Director for the Protection of Minors

Such Director can only be appointed after a call for applications is issued, and must have at least five years of experience in the sector, according to the proposed Bill.