Update 3 | Pioneer in foster care to help out in setting up fostering agency

Social Solidarity Minister faces questions over transfer of civil servant • Video by Ray Attard

A “calm and fruitful meeting” was held between Family Minister Michael Farrugia and civil servant John Rolé this afternoon after news broke out that Rolé had been transferred by the Foundation for Social Welfare Services.

A spokeswoman for the minister confirmed that Rolé will retain his post as head of Appogg’s foster care team for the time being. He will also be assigned a number of people whom he will train.

“The Labour government has also pledged to set up an agency focusing on foster care. Mr Rolé has been offered the choice to form part of a team responsible of setting up a fostering agency. He has accepted,” the spokeswoman said, adding that Rolé’s valuable experience could not be lost.

She added that the minister was currently approaching a number of individuals who will form part of this team.

Describing the meeting as calm, the minister’s spokeswoman said Rolé was very keen to continue working in the sector.

It is understood that a decision to transfer Rolé was taken from within the agency. “When the ministry got to know of what happened, the minister insisted that Rolé’s knowledge of the sector was too valuable to be lost,” she said.

Rolé has been part of Appogg’s foster care team for the past 19 years. Before he worked as a carer at the St Patrick’s care home.

Sources told MaltaToday that the authorities had been looking “at starting things afresh” and a call for applications to fill in the post was issued.

News of the transfer had left both colleagues and foster carers baffled at the decision with a number of parents expressing concern over “the loss” to the fostering service at Appogg. Relaying calls by foster parents, Rolé had also pushed for a review of the fostering law to give children’s voice more weight.

An online petition on Facebook called on the Minister and Appogg to reassign Rolé back to the fostering services. The petition, which garnered 574 signatures within hours, including that of PN leader Simon Busuttil.

“For the past 15 years, John Rolé was responsible for the gradual development of the fostering services and through his painstakingly endeavour hundreds of children found a family to take care of them. 

“His professionalism together with his immeasurable dedication within and outside office hours earned him trust of so many children, youth and families, knowing that he was always there for them, a point of permanence in an otherwise chaotic service structure. The removal of John Rolé is consequently a major setback for the children, youth and families who benefit from the fostering services,” the foster carers said.

“It is a shame that the responsible authorities are depriving the fostered children and youth and the families that take care of them from John Role’s services.”

Questioned by journalists before the meeting was held between Rolé and Farrugia, the minister said: “We will be discussing his new role and after this meeting we will be in a position to announce his new post. He will be working in the fostering sector. His vast experience and knowledge of the sector are most valuable.”

On Monday, the same ministry told media that “the management of FSWS believes that mobility of employees within the foundation is healthy”.

Asked why Rolé had been transferred, Farrugia simply replied that there are was an opportunity for new roles.
It is not clear whether the minister’s comments came in wake of the public outcry but Farrugia insisted that Rolé would remain involved in fostering.

Jason Zerafa, president of the National Foster Care Association Malta (NFCAM), said Rolé had been there “to perform a mission and not a job”, adding that fostering was a part of who he was.

Before joining the government agency, Rolé had worked as a carer at the St Patrick’s care home.

"News of Rolé's transfer from Appogg where he led the fostering unit has been met with displeasure from parents who worked close to him and know his serious and dignified ethic," the PN said in a statement.

"The work he did was delicate and he carried out his duty without political interference with decisions taken only in the child's interest. These are attributes that made Rolé's work the success it was for 19 years. In the last hours, PN leader Simon Busuttil signed a petition insisting upon government to save the fostering unit and reappoint John Rolé."

Shadow minister for social policy Paula Mifsud Bonnici said she was "sad" at the way this decision was taken and called on government to reverse its decision.