The need of implementing the new foster care system in Malta

Abstract

Nowadays, it is widely acknowledged that residential homes are no longer considered as the ideal placements for children. However, the reality is, that apart from a small number of children who managed to find an alternative family life in a foster home, or with an adoptive family, most children who for some reason or other were forced to leave their birth families, continue to live in institutional settings. This study is meant to analyse the present situation of the foster care alternative for children in Malta, which compared to elsewhere is acknowledged as definitely needing to further develop. The first chapter will deal with the definition of fostering, the evolution of this concept and local history of the service. Next chapter is meant to give an overview of the present foster care service and to possibly point out issues of a certain concern in its provision. The third chapter will provide the results of the questionnaire, that was the instrument used in this research and which was administered to a number of present foster families. Chapter four will then deal with the analyses and discussion of the questionnaire results and the last chapter provides the author's conclusions and recommendations.