Inclusion, Equality and Social Welfare

The international community takes a number of measures and precautions to ensure that the adoption process is conducted in a transparent and adequate manner in the best interests of the child. In Malta, adoption has evolved from an unregulated private matter, to adoption of children from a number of countries and more recently to regulation, good practice and record keeping. The Social Care Standards Authority regulates both local and intercountry adoptions. The Authority works with a number of Ministries and entities with the aim of better regulating this field.

Aġenzija Sedqa boasts a fully dedicated team of professionals for its Prevention Services. The team consist of professionals, all graduated within the Faculty of Social Wellbeing. They offer services aimed at informing the general public as well as helping people to lead healthy lifestyles away from addictions. This is done through diverse programmes for different cohorts of the general population.

The main aim of the service is to provide correct, clear, and age-appropriate information about alcohol and substances, as well as gambling and other behaviours that could develop into addictions if left uncontrolled. The prevention service works to adapt its message to the changes in time to offer valid programmes. All programmes and interventions offered by the Prevention Services also aim to give individuals the necessary life skills required in order to live a life that is unburdened by addiction.

Within the educational sector, the Prevention Service offers three main programmes, namely T.F.A.L. 3 (Tfal Favur Ambjent Liberu), T.F.A.L. 5, at the primary level and ‘Teen Outside the Box’ at the secondary level. Children who attend schools at the ages of seven, nine, and twelve participate in programmes aimed to prevent the early onset of addictive behaviours and character building throughout the crucial years before their youth days.

The S.A.F.E. (Skills for Addiction Free Employees) programme is Sedqa’s Prevention intervention at workplaces. Individuals’ substance abuse does not spare their employers and colleagues at work, especially when the addiction affects their productivity. This programme aims to help employees and employers alike to tackle addiction issues and help manage the impact on the workplace while aiming to help workers maintain their employment.

The community outreach part of the service collaborates with entities within the community, including Scout groups, sports nurseries, and youth groups, amongst others. The service organises interactive sessions and workshops that discuss addictions and other character building-related subjects, which can help people avoid substance abuse or addictions. The Prevention service does this dissemination by attending to community-organised events such as those led by local councils.

The Community Services provide community-based support to persons with disability and their families in Malta and Gozo. The service’s overarching aim is to assist persons with disability to lead an independent life in the community, whilst enhancing the quality of life of both the service user and his or her guardians. It provides services aimed at the individual’s wants and needs according to one’s abilities and limitations, following an assessment and intervention plan carried out before the service commences. The service is offered to individuals being followed by Aġenzija Sapport Social Workers. Eligible individuals referred to the service are those with social issues that needs close monitoring while learning or enhancing new skills to promote participation and independence in the community.

The main aim of the Fostering Service is to offer a family experience to children, who for specific reasons, cannot live with their biological family. If integration is not possible, fostering may be utilized as a permanent plan. Children are given the opportunity to live within a family environment where they are provided with love, care, security, reassurance, and stability. Throughout the fostering placement, children are given various opportunities to develop their full potential further.

In accordance with the requirements of Article 20 of the Social Care Standards Authority Act, Chapter 582 of the Laws of Malta, no agency or public or private entities or any other entity or person that provides a social welfare service, shall provide a social welfare service unless there is in respect of such social welfare service a valid licence issued by the Authority.

The Parenting when Separated Programme highlights practical steps that parents can take to help their children cope and thrive, as well as coping successfully themselves.

The Positive Parenting course is spread over five (5) sessions and are provided by trained professionals. Each session is held weekly for a duration of three (3) hours. It aims to support all those involved in parenting, be it parents, grandparents, carers and others. The aim is to enhance their skills and learning new ones in an interactive environment that addresses the parenting challenges in today’s world.

The Counselling Profession in Malta is regulated by the Counselling Profession Act (Cap. 538.) of the Laws of Malta when determining whether a prospective candidate is eligible to practise as a professional Counsellor in Malta.

The Malta Psychology Profession Board is bound by law to observe the criteria set forth in the Malta Psychology Act (Cap. 471.) when determining whether a prospective candidate is eligible for a warrant to practice psychology and obtain the title of a Registered Psychologist.

A warranted psychologist may also register to become a Board-Approved Supervisor.