Authorities

Which authorities are responsible for vulnerable persons in Malta?

🇲🇹 Authorities Responsible for Vulnerable Persons in Malta

1. Prime Minister of Malta

  • Name: Hon Dr. Robert Abela
  • Role: Head of Government, overseeing national policy and institutional accountability.
  • Duties: Ensures that all state functions respect human rights, including those of vulnerable groups.
  • Email: robert.abela@gov.mt
  • Office Address: Auberge de Castille, Valletta VLT 106
  • Phone: +356 2200 2400

2. Minister for Inclusion and the Voluntary Sector

  • Name: Hon. Julia Farrugia Portelli
  • Role: Political head responsible for disability inclusion, equality, and the voluntary sector.
  • Duties: Oversees the Commission for the Rights of Persons with Disability (CRPD), the Office of the Commissioner for Voluntary Organisations (CVO), and Aġenzija Sapport.
  • Email: julia.farrugia@gov.mt
  • Office Address: Palazzo Francesco, 89, Sir Ugo Mifsud Street, Lija
  • Phone: +356 2590 3410

Core Responsibilities

The Minister for Inclusion and the Voluntary Sector is a Cabinet-level government official in Malta responsible for national policy related to:

✅ Inclusion and Equality

  • Designing and implementing policies to promote full social participation of all persons, especially:
    • Persons with disabilities
    • Minorities
  • Ensuring accessibility, non-discrimination, and inclusive education, employment, and services.

✅ Disability Rights

  • Oversees agencies and authorities responsible for the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities, including:
    • Commission for the Rights of Persons with Disability (CRPD)
    • Aġenzija Sapport (which provides disability services)

✅ Voluntary Sector Regulation

  • Manages the legal and institutional framework governing voluntary organisations, including:
    • Commissioner for Voluntary Organisations (CVO)
    • Development of laws, reforms, and compliance systems
    • Engagement with NGOs and unregistered community groups
  • Promotes volunteerism, civic engagement, and transparent governance in the third sector.

✅ Policy Development & Legislative Reform

  • Leads legal reform initiatives to align Malta’s frameworks with:
    • EU Law
    • UN Conventions, especially the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD)
    • International human rights and anti-discrimination standards

✅ Oversight of Public Funds in the Sector

  • Responsible for:
    • Funding schemes for NGOs and inclusive projects
    • Monitoring of state subsidies to voluntary organisations
    • Ensuring fair distribution and auditing of public funds

3. Minister for Social Policy and Children’s Rights

  • Name: Hon. Dr. Michael Falzon
  • Role: Responsible for national social welfare systems and child protection.
  • Duties: Oversees agencies like Appoġġ and LEAP, focusing on family support, social security, housing, child well-being, and protection from poverty and abuse.
  • Email: michael.a.falzon@gov.mt
  • Office Address: Palazzo Ferreria, 310 Republic Street, Valletta VLT 1110
  • Phone: +356 2590 3125

Core Responsibilities

The Minister for Social Policy and Children’s Rights is a Cabinet-level official tasked with overseeing Malta’s social welfare system, child protection, and related national frameworks addressing poverty, family support, and vulnerable populations.

✅ Key Areas of Responsibility

1. Social Welfare and Family Services

  • Responsible for the development and management of social welfare policies and programmes, including:
    • Social security and benefits
    • Affordable housing and rent support
    • Assistance to low-income families
    • Food distribution and basic needs support
  • Supervises the Foundation for Social Welfare Services (FSWS), which includes:
    • Aġenzija Appoġġ – family and child services
    • LEAP – community development and social inclusion
    • Sedqa – addiction prevention and treatment
    • Social Care Standards Authority (SCSA) (for residential licensing and oversight)

2. Children’s Rights and Protection

  • Promotes and safeguards the rights and well-being of children.
  • Ensures that all government policy aligns with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).
  • Oversees the work of:
    • The Office of the Commissioner for Children
    • Aġenzija Appoġġ’s child protection services

3. Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion

  • Leads national anti-poverty strategies.
  • Designs and funds initiatives aimed at reducing social inequality and promoting social inclusion.
  • Works to address systemic issues such as homelessness, domestic violence, neglect, and institutional abuse.

4. Policy Development & Legal Reform

  • Develops laws and strategies on:
    • Child protection
    • Domestic violence
    • Foster care and adoption
    • Income support
  • Coordinates with other ministries (e.g., education, inclusion, housing) to ensure holistic support systems.

5. Crisis and Emergency Response

  • Provides support services for victims of abuse, displacement, or social emergencies.
  • Directs multidisciplinary interventions in cases of:
    • Child abuse
    • Family breakdown
    • Trafficking or exploitation

4. Shadow Minister for Inclusion and Social Affairs (Opposition)

  • Role: Member of Parliament from the Opposition who scrutinizes government policy in these sectors.
  • Duties: Defends the rights of vulnerable groups, highlights shortcomings in policy or practice, and promotes accountability and reform.
  • Contact: Specific contact details may vary; it’s recommended to refer to the official Parliament of Malta website for the most current information.

In Malta’s parliamentary democracy, a Shadow Minister is a Member of Parliament (MP) from the Opposition party (currently the Nationalist Party – PN) who is assigned to scrutinise, critique, and offer alternatives to the work of a specific government minister or ministry.

The Shadow Minister for Inclusion and Social Affairs shadows the work of:

  • The Minister for Inclusion and the Voluntary Sector
  • The Minister for Social Policy and Children’s Rights

✅ Main Responsibilities

1. Policy Oversight and Scrutiny

  • Examines and critiques policies related to:
    • Disability inclusion
    • Voluntary organisations
    • Social security and welfare
    • Children’s rights
    • Support for vulnerable persons
  • Reviews national budgets, reforms, and regulations introduced by government ministries.

2. Accountability and Transparency

  • Holds ministers accountable for their actions and decisions.
  • Raises questions in Parliament regarding:
    • Funding misuse
    • Inefficient or unjust systems
    • Human rights abuses
    • Lack of consultation with affected communities

3. Advocacy and Representation

  • Represents the voice of civil society, NGOs, and vulnerable communities in Parliament.
  • Highlights systemic failures, such as:
    • Poor treatment in care homes
    • Abuse of regulatory power (e.g., by the CVO or CRPD)
    • Marginalisation of unregistered voluntary groups

4. Proposing Alternative Policies

  • Develops and promotes alternative legislative proposals, policies, or improvements to existing laws.
  • Works closely with opposition parties, think tanks, and advocacy organisations to build inclusive and rights-based proposals.

5. Public Engagement

  • Engages with voluntary organisations, disability advocates, social workers, and families affected by government policies.
  • Issues public statements, participates in debates, and supports calls for reform.

Key Thematic Areas Covered

  • Rights of persons with disabilities
  • Conditions and oversight of residential care homes
  • Freedom and operation of voluntary organisations
  • Social benefits, pensions, and poverty alleviation
  • Children’s protection, foster care, and family services
  • Protection against institutional abuse, discrimination, and social exclusion

Why Is This Role Important?

The Shadow Minister is crucial to a functioning democracy. They serve as:

  • A watchdog over the government
  • A voice for underrepresented groups
  • A bridge between civil society and Parliament
  • A policy alternative builder in case of a future change in government

Example: If the Commissioner for Voluntary Organisations overreaches and suspends a legitimate NGO on weak legal grounds, the Shadow Minister:

  • Can call this out in Parliament
  • Demand a public inquiry
  • Request an Ombudsman investigation
  • Propose safeguards to protect freedom of association

Contact (Subject to Change):

  • You can contact the Nationalist Party (Partit Nazzjonalista) or the Parliamentary Opposition Office to reach the Shadow Minister for Inclusion and Social Affairs.

5. Aġenzija Sapport

  • Role: Government agency under the Ministry for Inclusion, focused on supporting persons with disabilities.
  • Duties: Provides community services, personal assistance, day programmes, supported employment, respite care, and independent living support.
  • Email: sapport@gov.mt
  • Office Address: Patri Ġwann Azzopardi Street, Sta Venera SVR 1614
  • Phone: +356 2256 8000

Aġenzija Sapport is a government agency in Malta under the Ministry for Inclusion and the Voluntary Sector. It is the main national service provider offering support to persons with disabilities and their families to promote independent living, inclusion, empowerment, and dignity.

✅ Core Responsibilities

1. Supporting Independent Living

  • Helps persons with disabilities live in the community rather than in institutions.
  • Offers personal assistance, home-based support, and respite care.
  • Encourages autonomy, choice, and dignity.

2. Day Services and Community Inclusion

  • Operates Day Centres offering skill-building activities, therapeutic support, and socialisation.
  • Promotes access to education, training, culture, and recreation.

3. Supported Employment

  • Assists persons with disabilities to enter or remain in the labour market.
  • Provides:
    • Vocational assessments
    • On-the-job coaching
    • Employer engagement and awareness

4. Family Support

  • Supports families with care duties through:
    • Information and referral services
    • Counselling and emotional support
    • Caregiver guidance and education

5. Residential Services

  • Operates or supports small-scale residential homes for persons with high support needs.
  • Focus is on community-based, rights-respecting housing, not institutions.

6. Transition Support

  • Helps young persons with disabilities transition from school to adult life.
  • Facilitates planning for employment, independent living, or further education.

7. Advocacy and Inclusion Promotion

  • Raises awareness about:
    • Disability rights
    • Accessibility
    • Equal opportunities
  • Collaborates with other agencies and NGOs.

Legal and Ethical Basis

Aġenzija Sapport operates in line with:

  • The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD)
  • The Equal Opportunities (Persons with Disability) Act (Malta)
  • Government strategies on inclusion, social justice, and community care

6. Commission for the Rights of Persons with Disability (CRPD)

  • Role: National watchdog and advisory body on disability rights.
  • Duties: Implements the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), investigates complaints, monitors public and private compliance, and promotes inclusion in all sectors of life.
  • Email: helpdesk@crpd.org.mt
  • Office Address: G5 Offices, Salvu Psaila Street, Birkirkara
  • Phone: +356 2226 7600

The Commission for the Rights of Persons with Disability (CRPD) is Malta’s national watchdog, regulatory, and advisory body on disability rights. It is independent, though it operates under the Ministry for Inclusion and the Voluntary Sector.

It was established under the Equal Opportunities (Persons with Disability) Act (Cap. 413 of the Laws of Malta).

✅ Core Responsibilities

1. Monitoring Compliance

  • Monitors compliance with local laws and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).
  • Ensures that public and private institutions respect the rights of persons with disabilities.

2. Investigating Discrimination

  • Receives and investigates complaints from individuals or organisations alleging discrimination on the grounds of disability.
  • Has the power to:
    • Mediate between parties
    • Issue binding compliance notices
    • Refer serious cases to the police or Attorney General

3. Safeguarding Rights

  • Advocates for the equal treatment, dignity, and non-discrimination of persons with disabilities.
  • Promotes reasonable accommodation, universal design, and accessibility across all sectors (education, employment, healthcare, transport, etc.).

4. Legal Advice and Support

  • Provides guidance to individuals about their rights and possible remedies.
  • May support legal action in some cases.

5. Policy Advice and Legislative Review

  • Advises government on disability-related laws and policies.
  • Reviews proposed legislation for compatibility with disability rights.

6. Awareness and Education

  • Runs national awareness campaigns, training, and education programmes to combat stigma and promote inclusion.
  • Publishes reports, research, and statistics.

7. Registration and Oversight

  • Maintains registers of accessible buildings and facilities.
  • May carry out audits on public accessibility, particularly in planning and development permits.

Legal Framework

  • Equal Opportunities Act (Cap. 413)
  • United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD)
  • Other Maltese laws affecting education, transport, employment, health, housing, and more.

7. Social Care Standards Authority (SCSA)

  • Role: Regulates quality standards in social care services across Malta.
  • Duties: Licenses and inspects care homes, disability facilities, and other welfare institutions to ensure safety, dignity, and compliance with care obligations.
  • Email: info.scsa@gov.mt
  • Office Address: 469, Bugeia Institute, St Joseph High Road, Sta Venera, SVR 1012
  • Phone: +356 2549 4400

The Social Care Standards Authority (SCSA) is the national regulatory body responsible for setting, monitoring, and enforcing standards in social care services across Malta. It operates under the Ministry for Inclusion and the Voluntary Sector.

The SCSA ensures that services provided to vulnerable persons—including the elderly, persons with disabilities, children in care, and those in residential homes—are safe, dignified, high-quality, and in line with the law.

✅ Core Responsibilities

1. Licensing of Social Care Facilities

  • Grants operating licenses to residential and community care facilities.
  • Ensures that only providers meeting legal and quality criteria can operate.

2. Inspections and Compliance Monitoring

  • Carries out regular and unannounced inspections of:
    • Elderly care homes
    • Disability residential and day facilities
    • Children’s residential homes
    • Shelters and other welfare institutions
  • Evaluates safety, hygiene, staff qualifications, record-keeping, and treatment of residents.

3. Enforcing Standards and Taking Action

  • Has legal authority to:
    • Issue warnings
    • Impose sanctions or penalties
    • Suspend or revoke licenses
  • Intervenes where there are risks to the health, safety, rights, or dignity of residents.

4. Handling Complaints

  • Receives and investigates complaints from:
    • Residents and service users
    • Family members
    • Staff or whistleblowers
    • Members of the public
  • Protects vulnerable individuals from abuse, neglect, or substandard care.

5. Developing National Care Standards

  • Issues national care standards, codes of practice, and guidelines to improve service delivery.
  • Works with other authorities (like CRPD or FSWS) to align practices with legal and ethical expectations.

6. Monitoring the Sector

  • Collects and publishes data and reports on the performance of the care sector.
  • Promotes transparency, continuous improvement, and user empowerment.

Legal Basis

  • Social Care Standards Authority Act (Cap. 582 of the Laws of Malta)
  • Related care legislation and EU obligations

8. Commissioner for Children

  • Role: Independent public authority protecting children’s rights.
  • Duties: Monitors child well-being, investigates abuses or failures in services, and ensures that public policy respects the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
  • Email: cfc@gov.mt
  • Office Address: 16/18, Tower Promenade, St. Lucia, SLC1019
  • Phone: +356 2148 5180 / +356 2590 3708

The Commissioner for Children is an independent national authority in Malta established to protect and promote the rights of all children. The office ensures that laws, policies, institutions, and practices across Malta respect the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and the best interests of every child.

It operates independently from government ministries, and focuses on child well-being, safety, equality, and participation in society.

✅ Core Responsibilities

1. Protecting Children’s Rights

  • Ensures that children’s rights are upheld in all decisions and policies affecting them.
  • Advocates for the best interests of the child in areas such as education, health, justice, family law, digital safety, and welfare.

2. Policy Review and Recommendations

  • Examines proposed and existing laws and policies to assess their impact on children.
  • Recommends improvements or reforms to legislation or institutional practices.

3. Empowering Children’s Voices

  • Promotes child participation in national decisions.
  • Organises consultations, surveys, and forums to include children’s perspectives in policymaking.
  • Supports children’s right to express opinions and be heard.

4. Monitoring and Investigating Concerns

  • Investigates systemic failures or violations that affect groups of children (note: it does not investigate individual criminal complaints).
  • May initiate public campaigns, inquiries, or interventions when children’s rights are at risk.

5. Raising Awareness and Education

  • Leads national awareness campaigns on child protection, anti-bullying, online safety, child poverty, and more.
  • Offers educational resources and collaborates with schools, parents, NGOs, and professionals.

Key Focus Areas

  • Child abuse and neglect prevention
  • Children in alternative care (foster care, residential homes)
  • Education and inclusive learning
  • Mental health and well-being
  • Children with disabilities
  • Digital and social media safety
  • Juvenile justice and family law
  • Migration and child asylum rights

Legal Basis

  • Commissioner for Children Act (Cap. 462 of the Laws of Malta)
  • United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC)

9. Commissioner for the Elderly

  • Role: Advocates for the rights and dignity of older persons.
  • Duties: Investigates mistreatment, promotes age-friendly policies, and ensures quality of care and respect for autonomy in older age.
  • Email: cfop@gov.mt
  • Office Address: Block C, Oaks Business Centre, Farsons Street, Hamrun
  • Phone: +356 2590 3877

The Commissioner for the Elderly is an independent public authority in Malta whose primary function is to safeguard the rights, dignity, and well-being of older persons. This office ensures that older people—especially those who are vulnerable, institutionalised, or facing social exclusion—are protected from abuse, discrimination, or neglect, and that their autonomy and participation in society are respected.

✅ Main Responsibilities

1. Protecting Elderly Persons’ Rights

  • Defends the legal and human rights of elderly persons, including access to healthcare, housing, financial support, and social inclusion.
  • Promotes dignity, respect, and quality of life in all settings—especially in care homes and hospitals.

2. Investigating Mistreatment or Complaints

  • Receives and investigates complaints about abuse, neglect, or poor standards in institutions or services.
  • Monitors systemic failures that may harm elderly individuals, including over-institutionalisation, financial exploitation, or denial of autonomy.

3. Advising and Recommending Reforms

  • Issues recommendations to the government or service providers to improve laws, policies, and practices that affect the elderly.
  • Acts as a watchdog on how public and private sectors treat elderly persons.

4. Awareness and Education

  • Promotes public awareness campaigns to challenge ageism, encourage intergenerational solidarity, and promote the visibility and value of older persons.
  • Educates service providers and the public on rights-based approaches to elder care.

5. Promoting Participation and Autonomy

  • Supports initiatives that empower older people to stay active, independent, and engaged in community life.
  • Advocates for policies enabling independent living and home-based care where possible, rather than unnecessary institutionalisation.

Legal Mandate

  • Operates under the Office of the Ombudsman Act and other relevant national frameworks.
  • Aligned with EU principles on active ageing and international human rights standards such as the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing.

10. Foundation for Social Welfare Services (FSWS): Appoġġ and LEAP

  • Role: Provide frontline services for individuals and families facing hardship.
  • Duties: Appoġġ supports vulnerable children, domestic violence victims, and families in crisis. LEAP promotes community empowerment, integration, and support for low-income households.
  • Email: info.fsws@gov.mt
  • Office Address: 212, Cannon Road, Santa Venera SVR 9034
  • Phone: +356 2258 8900

The Foundation for Social Welfare Services (FSWS) is Malta’s primary public entity responsible for delivering social welfare services to individuals and families in need. Operating under the Ministry for Social Policy and Children’s Rights, FSWS comprises several agencies, notably Aġenzija Appoġġ, Aġenzija Sedqa, and LEAP, each addressing specific areas of social support .

✅ Core Responsibilities

1. Aġenzija Appoġġ

  • Child Protection: Safeguards children from abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
  • Family Support: Assists families facing challenges such as domestic violence, separation, or financial hardship.
  • Foster Care and Adoption: Manages placement and support for children in alternative care.
  • Community Services: Offers counseling, social work, and support services to individuals and families.

2. LEAP (Community Development and Empowerment)

  • Community Empowerment: Implements programs to strengthen community networks and resilience.
  • Poverty Alleviation: Supports individuals and families at risk of poverty and social exclusion.
  • Employment Support: Provides training and resources to enhance employability.
  • Social Inclusion: Promotes integration and participation of marginalized groups in society.

3. Supportline 179

  • 24/7 Helpline: Offers immediate assistance and referrals for issues like child abuse, domestic violence, and substance abuse.

4. Residential and Community Services

  • Shelters: Provides safe accommodation for victims of domestic violence and individuals in crisis.
  • Day Services: Offers programs for children, youth, and adults to support personal development and social integration.

5. Research and Policy Development

  • Data Collection: Conducts research to inform policy and improve service delivery.
  • Training: Provides professional development for social workers and related professionals.

Legal Framework

FSWS operates under the Foundation for Social Welfare Services Act and aligns with national and international standards for social welfare and child protection.

11. Malta Police Force

  • Role: National law enforcement agency responsible for crime prevention and protection of vulnerable groups.
  • Duties: Investigates abuse, neglect, trafficking, and exploitation. Collaborates with social services and courts to ensure safety.
  • Email: pulizija@gov.mt
  • Office Address: Police General Headquarters, Pjazza San Kalcidonju, Floriana FRN 1530
  • Phone: +356 2122 4001

The Malta Police Force is the national law enforcement agency responsible for maintaining public order, preventing crime, and protecting the safety and rights of all residents and visitors in Malta. It operates under the Ministry for Home Affairs and National Security.

✅ Core Responsibilities

1. Crime Prevention and Investigation

  • Investigates crimes including abuse, neglect, trafficking, exploitation, and other offenses affecting vulnerable persons.
  • Works to prevent criminal activity through patrols, community policing, and intelligence gathering.

2. Protection of Vulnerable Groups

  • Provides specialized support and protection for vulnerable individuals, such as children, persons with disabilities, elderly people, and victims of domestic violence.
  • Collaborates with social services, courts, and other authorities to safeguard rights and welfare.

3. Law Enforcement and Public Order

  • Enforces laws, ensures public safety during events and emergencies, and manages crowd control.
  • Responds to emergencies and critical incidents involving vulnerable persons.

4. Collaboration with Other Agencies

  • Works closely with entities such as the Foundation for Social Welfare Services (FSWS), the Commission for the Rights of Persons with Disability (CRPD), and the Social Care Standards Authority (SCSA) to provide holistic support.

5. Victim Support

  • Offers assistance to victims of crime, including counseling, referrals, and protection services.
  • Ensures victims’ rights are respected throughout the criminal justice process.

Legal Mandate

  • Operates under the Police Act and related legislation.
  • Bound by national laws, the Constitution, and international human rights standards.

12. Office of the Ombudsman

Phone: +356 2248 3200

Role: Ensures access to justice, fairness, and redress.

Duties: Handles legal claims related to human rights violations or administrative injustice. The Ombudsman may also investigate systemic issues affecting vulnerable people.

Email: office@ombudsman.org.mt

Office Address: Address details can be found on the official website.

The Office of the Ombudsman in Malta is an independent public institution established to protect individuals against administrative injustice and maladministration by public authorities. It acts as a neutral intermediary to ensure fairness, transparency, and accountability in the public sector.

✅ Core Responsibilities

1. Investigation of Complaints

  • Receives and investigates complaints from individuals or groups who believe they have suffered injustice due to actions or decisions by government departments, agencies, or public officials.
  • Covers complaints related to social services, vulnerable persons’ rights, delays, unfair treatment, and policy implementation.

2. Promotion of Good Administration

  • Encourages public authorities to improve their procedures and adopt fair, transparent, and efficient administrative practices.
  • Advises government bodies on best practices and compliance with laws.

3. Protection of Rights

  • Ensures that the rights of citizens, including vulnerable groups such as persons with disabilities, children, and elderly persons, are respected by public institutions.
  • Works to prevent abuses of power and discrimination in public service delivery.

4. Mediation and Resolution

  • Acts as a mediator between complainants and public authorities to find amicable solutions without the need for court proceedings.
  • Issues recommendations and reports following investigations.

5. Systemic Reviews and Reports

  • Conducts broader reviews of policies and systems where recurrent problems are identified.
  • Publishes reports to inform the public and influence policy reforms.

📜 Legal Framework

  • Established under the Ombudsman Act.
  • Operates independently of the government and Parliament to ensure impartiality.