Members of Parliament and relevant stakeholders expressed their unanimous view on the need to revise the legislation concerning the treatment of children under social care or in the custody of the Social Welfare Services (SWS), was expressed by Members of Parliament and relevant stakeholders at Tuesday’s meeting of the Parliamentary Committee on Labor. At the same time, however, as they noted in their statements following the meeting, they also voiced concerns and reservations regarding the feasibility of implementing the legislation, given the weaknesses within the Social Welfare Services, as well as regarding certain provisions included in the bill.
The Committee Chair and AKEL Member of Parliament, Giorgos Koukoumas, noted in his remarks the critical importance of the bill and the need to modernize the framework for providing alternative care for children under the state’s social welfare system. Mr. Koukoumas noted that the Committee decided to continue its article-by-article discussion of the bill, in order to examine the weaknesses and gaps identified by the relevant agencies and organizations.
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Furthermore, in response to a reporter’s question about the possibility that the text of the bill might need to be returned to the Deputy Ministry of Social Welfare for revisions, he replied that the Committee has asked the Deputy Ministry of Social Welfare to state whether it intends to conduct a new review based on the points raised in the Committee.
He assured, however, that in light of these comments, the Committee would continue its discussion of the bill. “We have taken seriously into account several of the recommendations made by the Commissioner for the Protection of Children’s Rights as well as by KISOA, so that there is no form of discrimination against people with disabilities,” Mr. Koukoumas noted.
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“We will discuss all the comments, recommendations, and suggestions that were submitted in the coming days, so that this bill can be finalized and brought to a vote, because it is truly critical to ensure alternative care for children in state custody, whether through foster parents, support services, semi-independent living, or the Child Protection and Care Unit—which is something we will address at a later stage,” he continued.
He added, however, that “the big elephant in the room” when it comes to social policy and social welfare issues is how the provisions of the law are implemented, given the understaffing of the Social Welfare Services, the lack of protocols and procedures, as well as the practice of outsourcing services to external contractors.
When asked about the points on which objections were raised, Mr. Koukoumas said that there is a provision which the disability rights movement considers highly problematic, due to indirect discrimination against people with disabilities regarding their ability to serve as foster parents. He also pointed out that the wording regarding the procedures for children in state care to be eligible for the General Health System (GESY) raises concerns.
He also highlighted the need to establish an assessment of a foster family’s suitability before they take on a new child, as well as the need for protocols governing the operation and collaboration of interprofessional and interdisciplinary units, so that the framework of each party’s authority and responsibility is clear. She also stated that regardless of which external partner takes on a specific aspect of child care, the state must bear ultimate responsibility.
Anna Matthaiou, President of the Sectoral Council of Social Services Professionals.
While acknowledging that the new bill includes significant positive changes, placing greater emphasis on the best interests and the views of the child, with an individualized care plan for each child and the organization of foster care, Ms. Matthaiou expressed concern about the feasibility of implementation under current conditions.
“Today, social service workers are handling an excessive number of difficult cases,” she noted, adding that “the bill adds even more responsibilities without setting a cap on the number of cases per worker.”
He also noted that it should be made clear that “a social worker is not a psychologist, nor a doctor, nor a teacher, nor a police officer” and that “if a child is facing serious mental health issues, mental health services must take over.” She added, moreover, that some children require specialized facilities, therapies, rehabilitation, and appropriately trained staff—something that, as she noted, is not currently provided adequately.
Regarding the role of external contractors, she noted that they should be held accountable if they undertake specific tasks, emphasizing that the protection of children is the state’s responsibility.
“If we pass the legislation first and then start figuring out how to implement it, we’ll end up with a law that exists on paper but cannot protect children in practice. This is the opportunity to correct the problems we already know about now, so that we don’t find ourselves in a few months discussing the same issues again, after having previously wasted time, money, and, above all, opportunities for the children whom the state has a duty to protect,” concluded Ms. Matthaiou.
For his part, DISY MP Andreas Konstantinou stated after the committee meeting that the bill promotes a significant reform that will strengthen child protection and comprehensively regulate the foster care system, as well as ensure that every child has a personalized care plan tailored to their needs.
“It is also particularly important to support children as they transition to adulthood, so that the state’s responsibility does not suddenly end once the child turns 18,” added Mr. Konstantinou, concluding that the discussion in the Committee will continue “with the aim of ensuring that the bill is moved forward in the best interests of the children without further delay.”
Source: KYPE
