Appogg defends position on care orders, says protection of minors remains its priority

Agenzija Appogg said that it only issues a care order after the necessary investigations and other actions have been taken to ensure the protection of the minors.

Reacting to media reports about a mother who filed a judicial letter in court calling on the agency to lift a care order on her son, Agenzija Appogg said it couldn't comment on individual cases to protect the identity of its clients.

It however ensured that in all cases where there was the need to issue a care order, this only happened when was necessary and after the Agency had carried out all the necessary investigations and took other actions to ensure the protection of the minors involved.

"Each decision is taken in the best interest of the minors," Agenzija Appogg said.

According to the Maltese Law that regulates Care Orders, parents who feel that their child has been taken unfairly have the right to appeal this decision in the Juvenile Court.

Thus, when a Care Order is issued, parents may appeal during a period of up to 21 days from the issue of the Care Order.

They would also be invited to attend for the Child Protection Case Conference in which both children and parents are given the opportunity to voice their opinion, as well as given the reasons why the Care Order was issued.

This happens before a decision is taken whether the Care Order has to be confirmed or lifted. As stipulated by Law, if the decision taken is appealed by parents their complaint is passed on to the Juvenile Court who revises the case and decides whether the Care Order is confirmed or otherwise.

Each case is revised every six months, where professionals involved evaluate the situation and propose a care plan for the minors to the Children and Young Persons' Advisory Board.

This board is independent from Aġenzija Appoġġ and set up by Law. Both minors and parents, if it's in the best interest of the minors, are involved in drafting of the care plan. Apart from this, parents may also request to meet with this Board to voice their opinion.

The Board evaluates the care plan and forwards recommendations to the Minister responsible. This plan is implemented after all this process of evaluation and approvals is finished.

"It is important to emphasise that in all this process, the interests and protection of the minors remain at the centre of each decision taken," the agency added.