Suppliment FAMILJA 2023 - FSWS

SUPPLIMENT SPEĊJALI familja

SENA 2023 NUMRU 5

Fondazzjoni għal Servizzi ta' Ħarsien Soċjali

Lejn persuni responsabbli, produttivi w integrati fis-soċjetà

Credits

FSWS Contributors

Alfred Grixti CEO

Thomas Galea

Brian Camilleri

Fabienne Grech

Steve Libreri

Colette Farrugia

Remenda Grech

Svetlana Buttigieg

Stephen Christopher Vella

Jareth Grima

Anthony Apap

FSWS Coordinators

Nathalie Attard Bishop

Andreas Farrugia

Maria Azzopardi

Graphics Production

Peter Miceli Saydon

Distribution

Archibald Attard

Media Editor MSPC

Tonio Bonello

SUPPLIMENT SPEĊJALI FAMILJA is another publication produced and distributed by the Ministry for Social Policy and Children’s Rights. Along with this magazine, the Ministry produces several other publications under the brand name FAMILJA.

FAMILJA AĦJAR is an annual publication aimed at informing the general public about the measures announced in the last budget. On a quarterly basis, RIVISTA FAMILJA seeks to inform the readers with the holistic works of the Ministry combined with socio-cultural themes of general interest.

FULJETT ĠEMMA is all about Malta’s national campaign ĠEMMA. It’s aim is to make people and families cautious on how to spend their money and money management in such a way that it motivates people to save money in case of any contingency or when they need it for any future plans. You may find more details on www.gemma.gov.mt.

If you would like to subscribe to our publications, please click here and complete the form. All information provided is kept in the most confidential manner and in-line with the data protection law of Malta.

If you require further information with regards to FSWS, you may contact them on telephone; 22588900 or address your concern to FSWS –No.212, Cannon Road, Santa Venera SVR 9034. You may also visit their website: www.fsws.gov.mt

You may also write to the Ministry Communications Unit about anything related to MSPC media and communications on familja.media@gov.mt

25 YEARS of SERVICE

Alfred Grixti CEO FSWS

The Foundation for Social Welfare Services (FSWS) this year celebrates its 25th anniversary.

The decision to establish the FSWS was taken by Prime Minister Dr Alfred Sant and communicated to the Board of the then Foundation for Medical Sciences and Services (FMSS) on 27th February, 1998. The FMSS Board then passed a resolution on March 3, 1998 which formally established the FSWS. The end result was that the FMS would concentrate on medical services while the FSWS took over Sedqa and the Social Welfare Development Programme (SWDP).

Growth

During these 25 years, the social services under the FSWS umbrella have flourished. I have never had difficulty in recognising that setting up Sedqa and the SWDP by means of a Cabinet decision in 1994 were vital steps in the right direction. The welfare state model as it was then, basically a cash benefits system which helped people by giving them money, had served well. However, we needed, as a country, to start providing psycho-social services for vulnerable people by trained professionals. Sedqa and SWDP (which eventually became Aġenzija Appoġġ), were the strong foundations on which the FSWS was built. Until then substance misuse was still treated as a criminal problem rather than a psycho-social one. Child Protection and Domestic Violence, till then considered private family matters, were the first two issues addressed by the SWDP as it was recognsied that they were society’s concern as a whole.

New services

Today the FSWS has a budget of € 30 million and employs 948 people. 80% are professionals from various psycho-social disciplines who carry out direct work with the 22,125 persons who sought our help in 2022. Following the enactment of the Minors Protection (Alternative Care) Act two new Directorates were created within FSWS namely, the Directorate for the Protection of Minors and the Directorate for Alternative Care. Thus, today Appoġġ excels in the provision of Domestic Violence Services, social work services in the health sector and for other government agencies along with homelessness and human trafficking. Appoġġ runs the highly successful 179 national support line and is the leader in internet safety by means of the Be Smart Online and Child Web Alert projects. Sedqa is now the leader in substance misuse services, addictions in general and is moving into the field of behavioural addictions. Sedqa is also the leader in prevention, not only in schools but also at the workplace. Our community services

are now also responsible for all therapeutic services, particularly at community level. Currently, there are nine community service centres and eight outpost services in Malta. Crucially, all the services offered in Malta are now also offered in Gozo from one community service and one outpost plus an administrative office in Xewkija. Following the trends identified by the 2021 census, in 2022 14% of our service users are non-Maltese. We are adapting the way we work to be able to serve these people better.

That said, there is still a lot of more work to be done. It is the bane of affluent societies that social problems and challenges increase not decrease. We are not perfect and recognise that there is always room for improvement. Therefore, we are committed to the continuous training of our employees. Likewise, we will continue to improve our services to reach more people across our country. FSWS looks forward to the next 25 years of service and is committed to being here for the people most in need.

The Agency for Community and Therapeutic Services (ACTS)

Thomas Galea Operations Director for the Agency for Community and Therapeutic Services

The Agency for Community and Therapeutic Services (ACTS) aims to be directly present and accessible to people within their own communities. We currently provide our community services from the localities listed in the picture on the next page.

We have teams of professionals present within each of our main service locations and members of staff also travel out to provide services within the outpost offices present in other localities. The teams are made up of social workers, community mentors and community development workers. Their collective aim is to assist in the development of communities and improve the quality of life of individuals, families, and children.

Other community work responsibilities include supporting local NGOs, and planning community initiatives, such as neighbourhood get-togethers to foster a better sense of togetherness. Our social workers and mentors also engage in individual, family, and group work. Central themes of this qualitative work include support with housing, financial and employment issues. Guiding principles of our community work are provided by the National Strategic policy for poverty reduction and social inclusion (2014-2024).

The other major operational branch of the agency are the therapeutic services. These incorporate the Home-based Therapeutic Services (HBTS) and psychological services.

We start community work through mapping exercises where our community development workers walk through the streets of their allocated towns or neighbourhoods, engage the residents and map out the assets and needs of the place.

HBTS supports the wider FSWS, receiving referrals from frontline services to provide therapeutic and parenting interventions to families in need who would otherwise not have engaged with, or would not have been able to access more traditional, office-based services. The team consists of family therapists, counsellors, psychotherapists, social workers and parenting coaches.

Major stakeholders such as local councils, schools and NGOs are identified, and we eventually facilitate the formation of network meetings where these entities can sit down together to discuss issues and make plans to support their community.

HBTS, offers two distinct yet complementary services. The therapeutic side facilitates the development of new skills and strategies that draw upon intrapersonal, interpersonal, and community resources. This uses evidencebased practices and collaborative approaches

to build upon individual strengths and strengthen social capital while taking into consideration the cultural context of the families we serve.

On the other hand, our parenting team provides evidence-based parenting programs and live coaching either to parents individually, or in groups. This helps parents and caregivers enhance their parenting skills and improve family relationships. Both services provide a comprehensive approach to supporting individuals and families in achieving their goals.

The psychological services offer generic psychotherapeutic services and psychological assessments. It is an interdisciplinary team made up of family therapists, counsellors, psychologists, and gestalt psychotherapists. We receive referrals from frontline services within the FSWS and offer therapy or assessments according to need.

Together, these therapeutic services comprise the largest team of therapists available to the Maltese public that is free of charge. All the therapists are qualified and have various areas of expertise.

For more information about our community and/or therapeutic services kindly contact us at the ACTS head office on 2334 5100.

Giving back: A central value within Sedqa’s addiction residential rehabilitation programme

Brian Camilleri Residential Services Manager at Komunità Santa Marija

The value of giving back is often overlooked by society. Giving back can be defined as repaying others, directly or indirectly, in return for support formerly received by those same individuals or society at large. As a concept and a value, giving back involves a whole process. As a first step it requires the individual to accept that they need help, it involves reflection and appreciation for the support received and it also necessitates the individual to take a conscious decision to dedicate time, energy and possibly money to the service of others.

One of the central values guiding the work at Komunità Santa Marija addiction residential rehabilitation programme is giving back to society. Giving back is encouraged and practiced both in the mundane activities between staff and residents forming the community, but also during specific events organised by the community that offer residents the opportunity to experience the joy of being of support to others.

Photo: Tim Mossholder

One way of giving back is through voluntary work that residents following the rehabilitation programme are encouraged to take part in whilst they are recovering. As a community, Komunità Santa Marija is in contact with several entities to whom it offers support through its residents and staff mainly through practical and manual work.

Residents are encouraged to be humble and to serve each other through the work they do within the community. An example of such work is a project being implemented at Komunità Santa Maria whereby the fields surrounding the residence are being worked using permaculture principles. These are Earth Care, Fair Share and Social Care.

In the weeks preceding Easter, the residents at Komunità Santa Marija offered their time, energy and skills to prepare over three hundred figolli to be sold in exchange of a donation. Donations collected were given to the Children’s Fund and to a special Fund Sedqa has created to aid individuals who would be struggling with addiction related difficulties and who would not be able to have their basic needs met.

Over the past few weeks, the residents at Komunità Santa Marija offered their time, energy and skills to prepare over three hundred figolli to be sold in exchange of a donation which was then given to the Children’s Fund and to a special Fund Sedqa has created to aid individuals who would be struggling with addiction related difficulties and who would not be able to have their basic needs met.

As from 2019, Komunità Santa Marija has been implementing the gradual integration of permaculture principles within its addiction rehabilitation programme. This was done with the aim of enhancing its therapeutic environment for the residents through making better use of the numerous green spaces healing and growth through connection with nature.

Komunità Santa Marija is Sedqa’s 14-month addiction residential rehabilitation programme. Individuals dealing with addiction related difficulties voluntarily enter the facility with the aim to work on a total lifestyle change. The programme is based on specific values and principles and residents following the programme are encouraged to work thoroughly on themselves within a community setting whilst abiding by such values.

On a day-to-day basis, residents at Komunità Santa Marija give back to themselves, their family, their fellow residents and society through most of the work they do during the day. Work is a pivotal value at Komunità Santa Marija and the residents take care of the premises and all that living in a community entails.

Contact number: Sedqa reception 2388 5110

The FSWS Gozo Branch Operations

Fabienne Grech Manager at FSWS Gozo Operations Directorate

Gozo “the place where time stands still”! This phrase is often used to describe Gozo because of its relaxed pace of life and the sense of tranquility that visitors experience. The island still maintains its charm and character, however the everyday reality of the island and for its inhabitants can differ.

It is not entirely free from the hustle and bustle of modern life. In the past decade, Gozo had experienced a change in demography. According to the National Statistics Office, between 2011 and 2021, the population of Gozo increased by 7,912 individuals, of whom 6,305 are non-Maltese.

This increase in population has reflected upon the demand for the FSWS Gozo Services. In fact, the percentage of cases worked with nonMaltese residents in Gozo surpassed that of Malta in 2021, with Malta having a case-load of 15% non-Maltese and Gozo having 27%.

This year marks a significant milestone for the Gozo Directorate as it commemorates its fifth anniversary since its establishment in Gozo. Its main goal is to improve the quality of life of the Gozitan community through various initiatives and programs that provide essential services and support to the residents of Gozo.

The Directorate is committed in bridging the gap in social welfare services between Malta and Gozo while maintaining high ethical and professional standards. It works in tandem with the established FSWS services on the sister island to provide the best support possible.

As the Directorate celebrates this milestone, it acknowledges its progress and achievements made over the past five years. Despite the progress, there is still more work to be done, and the Directorate is committed to its efforts to improve the lives of the residents - a mix of Gozitans who have lived all their life in Gozo, Maltese people who, for various reasons, moved over to Gozo as well as foreigners who settled on the island - and make Gozo a better place to live, work, and visit.

Currently, the Directorate provides 14 different services which are:

 Homelessness

 Domestic Violence

 Home Start Gozo

 Generic Social Work Services

 Fostering

 Looked After Children (LAC)

 Supervised Access Visits Services (SAVs)

 Court Services

 Gozo General Hospital – Generic/ Psychiatric Social Work

 Marsalforn Community Service

 Psychological Services Gozo

 Sedqa Preventive Programs

 Food Distribution – SFFD, FEAD

 Emergency On-Call - 179 (After Office Hours/ Weekends/ Public Holidays)

As the COVID-19 pandemic receded, the world faced new challenges, particularly with the global financial crisis. One of the unfortunate consequences of the pandemic was the rise in homelessness cases, which has become a major concern for the Gozo Directorate.

To address this issue, the Directorate has been working tirelessly to strengthen the social infrastructure on the island. This infrastructure is essential to support vulnerable individuals and families in need.

In 2020, the Directorate acquired a block of shell-form apartments, which due to the

financial crisis caused some difficulty for the Directorate to accomplish this capital project according to the scheduled time-frame. Despite these obstacles, the Gozo Directorate remains determined to bring this capital project to completion without any compromise in quality.

The FSWS Gozo Directorate is determined to continue its collaboration with other organisations, stakeholders and the community to address the root causes of social issues and provide high-quality support and services to those in need. Furthermore, the Directorate firmly believes that living on the small island of Gozo should never be considered a liability as we establish locally supported services directly in Gozo.

Photo: The Times of Malta

A Directorate for Children

Steve Libreri Director at Child Protection Services Directorate

The Child Protection Directorate aims at protecting minors from significant harm under the auspices of Chapter 602 of the Laws of Malta, The Minors Protection (Alternative Care) Act.

Through a team of dedicated multidisciplinary professionals the Child Protection Investigation Unit investigates reports of child maltreatment which can vary from physical violence, inappropriate sexual actions, neglect, emotional or physical abuse and children witnessing violence.

Referrals are received from many sources, not only from the public or 179 Supportline, but also from other safeguarding institutions such as the police, social workers, health and education officials. In addition to an ethical obligation to report; these professionals also have a mandatory legal responsibility to pass on any information pertaining to any minor they cross paths with who is at risk.

Contrary to what most think, the primary role of the Child Protection Investigations Unit is not to remove children from their parents’ custody but rather to support and educate the family in providing a safe environment for the minors to reach their maximum potential. This process is not only carried out in house but also through linking service users with a myriad of supportive and educational services offered by the Foundation for Social Welfare Services and by other local Non-Governmental Institutions.

The Child Protection Directorate believes that positive working relationships with such services is vital for the benefit of its

vulnerable service users and hence the Directorate has always prioritised establishing and maintaining positive working relationships with other stakeholders in the field.

Unfortunately, there are some situations where despite countless attempts to support the family, the minors remain at risk and in these situations the Child Protection Directorate has a legal obligation to inform and co-operate with the Court to take the necessary measures in ensuring the minors are safeguarded.

In addition to the local scenario, the Child Protection Directorate has an International Dimension which investigates reports of abducted children, child trafficking and unaccompanied minor asylum seekers amongst others.

The Court Services Unit within the Child Protection Directorate has been servicing the Family Courts for these past decades; providing professional assessments and putting forward recommendations in relation to child related issues in separation proceedings.

Such issues may vary from care and custody litigation, child access, child abuse allegations and other issues which the honourable Court may deem necessary to be investigated. The court appointed expert acts independently from all parties or any other professionals supporting the family and presents his/her professional opinion to the Court, who ultimately has the sole authority to decide on the recommendations put forward.

Experience has shown that although there are a significant number of situations which have successfully benefited from the involvement of the Court Services Unit, there are also several minors who are referred to the Unit at a late stage in their parents’ separation process. Often, in high conflict separations, minors are directly exposed to their parents’ marital disputes and entangled into adult issues.

At times, this results in the minor being alienated from one of the parents which may also lead to the minor refusing to have any sort of relationship with the alienated parent. Research shows that alienated children do not only lose out on forming a relationship with their alienated parent and their side of the family but may also face other challenges such as low self-esteem, difficulties with his/her own relationships when they reach adulthood, depression and substance abuse amongst others.

This has always been a preoccupying factor to the Court Services professionals and hence the unit has expanded its operations to aim at reaching service users at an earlier phase of the marital separation process. This is carried out through education and support to couples and families who are contemplating separation. For this purpose, the Court Services Unit accepts referrals from professionals supporting the family and from the individuals themselves.

The family is helped on an individual level and on a group level where the Court Services provides educational and supportive guidance which aim to provide knowledge about the separation process, support the family in this

arduous phase and educate on ways of how to continue to co-parent throughout and after the separation. Concurrently, on the same pillars, the unit provides support to the children whom parents are benefitting from the mentioned services.

The Children House which also forms part of the Child Protection Directorate is a childappropriate setting where judicial investigations of violence involving minors as victims or witnesses may be conducted. This supports the judicial system in being more child friendly whilst providing a safe space where the children may receive the support they need, without jeopardising justice.

The Child Protection Directorate may be reached on (+356) 2149 2348 or on www.fsws.gov.mt

Photo: Polesie Toys

When Respect is Missing in Intimate Relationships

Colette Farrugia Bennett Service Manager at Domestic Violence Services & LGBTIQ Hub within Aġenzija Appoġġ

Every relationship, whether intimate or not, should be based on love and respect. We also know that there are circumstances where these two factors are missing or not always present, so it is important to talk about the support services that exist for people who are experiencing some form of abuse in their relationships.

Domestic violence occurs in intimate relationships, as well as in other forms of relationships. It does not discriminate amongst the class, sexual orientation, race, age or religious beliefs of the individual; and research shows that everyone can be a victim of domestic violence.

However, research also shows that females are at a higher risk of being victims of domestic violence perpetrated by males in intimate relationships. This is linked to patriarchal thinking, male controlling behaviours towards their partners, ideologies of male sexual entitlement, gender inequality and norms on the acceptability of violence against women. Other social factors such as drugs and alcohol may exasperate and intensify the perpetrator's acts of violence.

In domestic violence situations, the aggressors exercise power and control over their victims and this is done through physical, emotional, psychological, financial, sexual and spiritual abuse. Some controlling behaviours also occur through harassment and stalking. All of the above forms of abuse occur with the intent to continue to exercise more power over the victim. There is no profile describing an aggressor.

Such acts of violence have an effect on the victim, and thus it is important that the victims receive the support they may need. Experience and research also show that domestic violence affects the victim's children and relatives.

Apart from the fact that witnessing these situations may be a traumatic experience in itself, family members may also be the target of the aggressor in order to exercise more control over the victim. It is very important that children are protected from such acts of violence.

The Domestic Violence Services within Aġenzija Appoġġ offers various services of support to the victims and their children, as well as the perpetrators. The Domestic Violence Services works closely with the Gender-Based Violence and Domestic Violence Police Unit, and this liaison facilitates the reporting process for the victim, as well as the assessment of the risk experienced by the victims and their children. Liaison with the police is also sought to accompany DVS professionals in interventions which may pose some risk for the professionals and the victims.

Anyone who wishes to find support or information can get in touch with the Domestic Violence Services of Aġenzija Appoġġ on 2295 9000 or Supportline 179.

Photo: Mart Production

A woman who was placed in foster care and protected by a care order at the age of six, speaks about her experience with her foster family...

Kate was born in 2003 and had two older brothers. Her biological parents were finding it difficult to cope with bringing up all three children. In fact, Kate's parents used to complain about the children having challenging behaviour and used to physically beat them as a form of discipline. Eventually, Child Protection services were involved and an investigation took place. Kate had to be taken out of the household and an alternative placement found. She was placed in foster care and protected by a care order at the age of six.

fact, she describes her journey in foster care as "a wonderful experience!".

She explained that unfortunately, as a young child, she was deprived of having a biological family to care for her, but luckily, she found a foster family who always supported her and showed her love and respect.

Speaking with the social workers that work within the Directorate for Alternative Care, part of the Foundation for Social Welfare Services (FSWS), Katie recalls how well she had settled with her foster family and was in favor of remaining with her new foster family rather than being re-united with her biological family in the future.

Kate explained that her fostering experience changed her mentality completely. She added that her foster carers fulfilled her needs at the time and stated that, they gave her the childhood she never had. In fact, Kate spoke very highly of her experience in foster care and she said; "If I was to be reborn again, I would do it again". This is also shown by the fact that Kate has chosen to continue living with her foster family even after she reached 18 years of age.

Kate has grown up to be a young independent woman, completed a tertiary education course and has a full time job. She also spoke about how she plans to buy a house and to have her own family one day.

Looking back, Kate thinks of herself as being lucky to have found a foster family that accepted her at such a young age and offered her a second chance of having a family. In

"My foster carers gave me the childhood I never had - it was a wonderful experience"

Remenda Grech Director at the Directorate for Alternative Care (Children and Youths)

She always refused to have contact with her biological family and still refuses to get in touch even now. Kate explained that she is not interested in getting to know her biological family since she has plans for her future and believes that she needs to focus on her future aspirations. Kate feels that her foster family is her only family and has a positive outlook towards life.

Fostering can be an enriching experience both for adults and children. It gives priceless opportunities to help children reach their full potential. Moreover, embarking on this journey gives an unprecedented sense of joy and pride by giving back to society, whilst helping a child and family in need.

Experience joy by supporting and improving a life of a child, choose fostering.

Fostering, or foster care, is a way of providing a safe and loving family home for children who cannot, for whatever reason, live with their own parents.

Currently the FSWS has 185 families who are officially approved and who have a fostered child/children with them. In 2022 fostering service provided 42 new placements for 36 different children and in 2023, already 10 children found a loving family through fostering.

Individuals who are interested in learning more about fostering can phone on 1778 or follow our Facebook page; 'Fostering Service Malta'

Photo: Pavel Danilyuk

Sedqa as a pioneer element in Prevention Service Provision

Jareth Grima Prevention Services Manager at Aġenzija Sedqa

The Aġenzija Sedqa offers support to people who have addiction difficulties and their relatives. Prevention programs are also offered to increase more awareness on addictions and how to live a healthy lifestyle.

Prevention programmes are run throughout our primary schools. The grade 3 programme is referred to as T.F.A.L. 3 (Tfal Favur Ambjent Liberu 3) and is the one being used. It tackles basic life skills through the use of puppets, an interactive workbook with stickers, games and activities but also through the use of songs. It consists of six sessions and covers the topics of feelings, peer

pressure, decision making, coping skills, addictions, seeking help and concludes with a revision session.

The grade 5 programme continues to build on the T.F.A.L 5 (Tfal Favur Ambjent Liberu 5) programme learning outcomes. The topics covered include self love and coping skills, peer pressure and decision making, addictions, wise use of medicine, wise use of technology and gambling. The use of stories and games are used to make the lessons more interactive and engaging for students.

Teen Outside the Box (T.O.T.B.) is the programme offered to the secondary students

Photo: Jonathan Petersson

in Form 2. The programme consists of three lessons and cover the topics of coping skills and decision making, wise use of technology and addictions. Games, teamwork, workbook and discussions are used to interact with the students.

Sessions are also offered to post secondary schools in order to create more awareness and discussion based on topics relevant to the students. Post Secondary interventions are implemented through the means of outreach events in public hubs within the specific educational setting.

Sessions are also offered to adults within their workplace through S.A.F.E. (Skills for Addiction Free Employees) programme. Sessions with management are held to offer guidance on substance misuse policy at the workplace. Moreover, workshops are held with the employees on the topics of addictions, stress management, bullying at the workplace and also work-life balance amongst other topics.

Throughout the year, village feasts or themed events are organized within different communities and the Prevention Team participates in such events.

Additionally non-alcoholic mocktails are displayed for the general public while awareness on alternatives fo alcoholic drinks iare offered. Mocktails can be tasted and a booklet with different recipes is also given to those interested.

The prevention team offers interactive sessions to different entities within the community. These include scout groups, football nurseries, religious entities and any other group. The sessions incorporate games, videos, discussions and even crafts.

The prevention team assesses the group and tailor the sessions according to the group’s needs. Sessions covered include from selfesteem, coping skills, decision making, stress management, peer pressure, stress management, effective communication, to the wise use of technology and an overview of addictions.

Those interested in these sessions, one can kindly contact the Prevention Team on 2388 5110 or send us a message on the Sedqa Malta Facebook page, Sedqa Malta Instagram Page or Sedqa Malta Linkedln Page.

The aim of this involvement is to reach out to the general public within their community. The prevention team have a stand. The decorated stand offers different activities to all the family. These include information provided about Sedqa and the services offered, games, crafts and also face painting are offered for free.

Photo: Pietro Jeng

Intake and Family Support Service (IFSS)

Svetlana Buttigieg Service Area Manager Aġenzija Appoġġ

The Intake and Family Support Service, known in short as IFSS, is one of many services offered by the Foundation for Social Welfare Services (FSWS). This service is generic and deals with a wide variety of family difficulties. We cover issues such as: poverty, relationship issues between family members, and difficulties in raising children, among others.

When a person needs assistance regarding generic problems, i.e. not specialised, the first contact the individual will have is with professionals within our service. Social workers carry out an assessment to better understand individuals issues and better help resolve problems more rapidly and effectively. If the assessment uncovers a more specialised issue, they ask for consent to refer the issue to a specialist team.

The service consists of several professionals, including social workers, social welfare professionals and a counsellor, who work together in a multidisciplinary team to address the needs of the individual in a holistic manner. The necessary help is provided on a case-by-case basis, according to the needs of the person or family, and an action plan is devised together with the client.

In cases where the person is already being followed by another professional, that

professional can contact us directly. The situation is discussed and if we see that the person benefits from the service, we direct that professional to refer.

In addition to individual help, the Intake and Family Support Services also offer a series of workshops to groups of people who have similar needs. These Family workshops address different skills which are needed in a family context, so that our clients would feel better equipped to meet the daily needs which different members of the family can present.

Eight workshops are held on a weekly basis with topics ranging from communication, parenting skills, budgeting and finding balance between work and family life. These workshops can be held in both English and Maltese in order to reach English speaking families who live within our communities as well.

For those who wish to make use of our services, our offices are located at Aġenzija Appoġġ in Gwardamanġa. We are open between Monday and Friday, between 8:00am and 5:00pm. You can also call us on 2295 9000.

Photo: Mart Production

Stephen Christopher Vella Director Corporate Services at the FSWS Head Office

The Foundation for Social Welfare Services closely collaborates with various national stakeholders to ensure those at risk of social exclusion and in dire need of assistance are helped. One of the many initiatives are the two Food distribution Schemes better known as FEAD and SFFD which stands for Fund for the European Aid for the Most Deprived (cofunded by the EU) and the State Funded Food Distribution (fully funded by the Government of Malta).

Between these two schemes we reach out to over 20,000 families with five distributions annually. These are carried out in close cooperation with the Foundation’s Line Ministry (MSPC). These schemes are now in their 7th year with a constant reach out, including various ventures and auxiliary schemes such as distribution of new books through the National Literacy Agency and other similar initiatives to further assist the targeted families.

The sum of the whole is greater than the sum of the parts

Photo: Cottonbro Studio

I consider this aid as going the extra mile to reach out to those in need. The food packages provided, though substantial in content are also a means to keep in contact with those otherwise off-radar and at high risk of being isolated from society. Those that collect packages from the various distribution points in Malta and Gozo are offered further support and if required, referred to other FSWS or other services to focus on their specific need.

The Foundation engages in various EU funded projects relevant to our field such as reaching out to young people at high risk of social exclusion, victims of human trafficking, community-based programmes and initiatives, support to frontline workers to strengthen our social capital. The following are a few examples of the many projects delivered by the Foundation in these last few years:

The ESF funded LEAP Project

The Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund project for victims of human trafficking

The OK (Opportunity Knocks) Project for the young funded by Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway grants

The Valletta Hiliet il-Komunita’ Project funded through ERDF funds

The Foundation continually strive to reach out and assist those most in need, ensuring they are looked after professionally. The most effective way of achieving this is by working with other stakeholders outside of the Foundation. We are very much aware that the sum of Our joint efforts with many other parties yields far more than we could do on our own.

Contact details: FSWS EU Funded Projects Office mobile 7901 3090

The FSWS Human Resources Department

for the

The Foundation for Social Welfare Service (FSWS) is the leading employer in the social welfare sector in Malta, employing almost 1,000 employees. The FSWS provides a wide range of services, with its professionals working directly with children, young people, adults and families in need. The various professions employed by the FSWS include social workers, youth workers, support workers, doctors, nurses, psychologists, psychotherapists, systemic family therapists, counsellors, administrative staff and other professions.

The ultimate goal of the Foundation is for professionals to provide quality psychosocial welfare services to individuals and families inclusive of all types of people by strengthening, promoting and protecting the well-being of these individuals. The Foundation's staff are critical to its success and play a vital role in helping it achieve its goal.

What can we offer you to participate

All FSWS employees are covered by a favourable collective agreement for the various professions. In addition to career advancement for professionals, the collective agreement also offers various allowances for those who continue their education. Employees are also offered on-the-job mentoring and ongoing training opportunities. The FSWS offers opportunities for students

through internships with the possibility of subsequent employment.

General eligibility criteria to join our dynamic teams:

The eligibility criteria depend on the job one is applying for. This varies from MQRIC level 3 to level 8. In certain instances, experience is considered to be an asset.

The FSWS Human Resources Team

Our HR team currently consists of 8 welltrained, competent and hardworking professionals, entrusted with all HR interventions, recruitment, training and welfare of the entire Foundation and its agencies, which together employ almost 1,000 employees. This small team is led by Director Anthony Apap and HR Manager Vivienne Mallia Goham, both of whom have many years of experience and are highly qualified in HR.

This small but very dynamic team handles human resource interactions and workforce planning by developing business plans for all services in conjunction with the operational directors and in collaboration with the CEO's office and relevant stakeholders.

HR provides remuneration packages in line with agreed collective agreements, benefits administration, professional relations management and policy development.

‘

’We strive to support our staff to develop professionally and be proud to be a part of the FSWS."

Anthony Apap Director

Human Resources Department

The training department looks after the professional development and well-being of all employees with over 70% being graduates or graduate level. Training and development are a priority and induction of new staff is the most important opportunity to ensure compliance. Payroll, compliance reporting within very strict deadlines and disciplinary action are focal activities of the HR team.

Our employees are the sole source of our success in achieving our goals. Our agencies are committed to providing quality services to those in need. A knowledgeable workforce focused on continuous learning contributes to this endeavour. As the number and quality of FSWS services increases, so does the number and need for professional staff in a variety of professions.

Health and Safety, risk management, human resource management and capacity building are part of the daily function within the HR team. These functions must clearly be communicated by HR to all teams active across the Foundation.

All services are independently audited to ensure transparency and compliance with the laws and regulations set out in the FSWS policies and procedures. The FSWS also provides internship opportunities for students from different professions and academic backgrounds.

At the FSWS, we provide continuous professional development for our professionals and ongoing training, both locally and abroad. We strive to ensure that all our professionals are well equipped to fulfil their potential and meet the ever-growing demands of our clients.

The HR team embodies the values of the Foundation's work and takes a personal and social approach that makes life easier for everyone. Every team member in HR is well trained and given a fulfilling and valuable role to develop and flourish, which in turn means providing a better service to the public.

At HR we practice what we preach: “We strive to support our staff to develop professionally and be proud to be part of the FSWS."

Contact emails and numbers

Director Mr Anthony Apap

2258 8930 - anthony.a.apap@gov.mt

HR Manager Ms Vivienne Mallia Goham

2258 8931 - vivienne.mallia-goham@gov.mt

Photo: Fauxels