These are the roles entrusted to the authorities mentioned above, and it is their responsibility to carry out their duties properly. This responsibility binds them to act with transparency and complete honesty.
CRPD.
The Commissioner for the Rights of Persons with Disability (CRPD) is a national body established under the Equal Opportunities (Persons with Disability) Act (Cap. 413) tasked with promoting, protecting, and monitoring the rights of persons with disabilities in Malta, in line with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD). The CRPD is empowered to receive and investigate complaints of discrimination, issue recommendations, advise government entities, and raise public awareness. However, it does not hold judicial or prosecutorial powers, nor does it have authority to license or regulate residential or care facilities—functions which fall under the Social Care Standards Authority (SCSA). While CRPD may refer cases to other competent bodies, it must act transparently and ensure procedural fairness, especially when complaints affect third parties or institutions.
Ms.Rhoda Garland
CVO.
CVO – Roles and Powers (Professional Summary)
The Commissioner for Voluntary Organisations (CVO) is the regulatory authority responsible for overseeing voluntary organisations in Malta, as defined by the Voluntary Organisations Act (Chapter 492 of the Laws of Malta). The Commissioner’s core duties include maintaining a public register of enrolled organisations, ensuring compliance with governance and financial obligations, and promoting good practice within the sector. The CVO has the authority to carry out investigations, request financial records, issue directives, suspend enrolment or operations, and refer cases to enforcement or prosecution if there is evidence of serious misconduct, fraud, or breach of law. While the CVO has broad investigative and administrative powers, they are limited to the scope of the Act and must respect the principles of proportionality, legality, and due process. The CVO is not empowered to dissolve organisations without legal basis, interfere in internal policy decisions unless they breach the law, or impose criminal sanctions (which fall under judicial authorities). The Commissioner also works to support and educate VOs, but recent reforms have raised concerns about regulatory overreach and lack of clarity regarding the CVO’s jurisdiction over non-enrolled or informal organisations, which by law remain outside its formal regulatory control.
Mr. Jesmond Saliba
AGENZIJA SAPPORT.
Aġenzija Sapport – Roles and Powers (Professional Summary)
Aġenzija Sapport is a government agency operating under the Ministry for Inclusion and the Voluntary Sector (MIV), responsible for providing support services to persons with disabilities and their families in Malta. Its mission is to promote independent living, social inclusion, and personal empowerment through practical assistance, community-based programmes, and tailored interventions. The agency delivers services such as personal assistance, respite care, community outreach, residential support, employment services, and skills training.
While Aġenzija Sapport plays a central role in service provision, it does not hold regulatory or enforcement powers. It is not a licensing authority (unlike the Social Care Standards Authority) and does not have judicial or investigative authority. However, it may refer cases of concern to regulatory bodies (e.g., SCSA or CRPD) or collaborate with social workers, NGOs, and government entities to address complex needs. All services are guided by national policy frameworks and disability rights standards, including the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD). The agency is accountable to the ministry and is expected to uphold principles of dignity, equity, and person-centred care in all its operations.
Mr. Oliver Scicluna
SCSA.
SCSA – Roles and Powers (Professional Summary)
The Social Care Standards Authority (SCSA) is the primary regulatory body in Malta responsible for licensing, inspecting, and monitoring residential and social care services, including homes for persons with disabilities, the elderly, and vulnerable individuals. Established under the Social Care Standards Authority Act (Cap. 582), the SCSA’s core mandate is to safeguard the quality, safety, and dignity of care provided across the sector. It develops and enforces national care standards, processes applications for operating licenses, conducts regular and unannounced inspections, and investigates complaints or breaches related to service provision.
The SCSA has legal authority to issue, suspend, or revoke licenses, demand compliance improvements, and take corrective or enforcement action where violations are found. It may also refer serious cases to the police or relevant authorities if there are indications of abuse, negligence, or criminal conduct. The Authority ensures that care providers meet staffing, safety, governance, and operational standards and that residents’ fundamental rights and welfare are protected. However, the SCSA must operate in accordance with the principles of due process, transparency, and proportionality, and cannot interfere in matters outside the scope of social care licensing and regulation.
CEO: Ms Ruth Sciberras
FSWS.
FSWS – Roles and Powers (Professional Summary)
The Foundation for Social Welfare Services (FSWS) is a public agency operating under the Ministry for Social Policy and Children’s Rights, responsible for delivering a wide range of social welfare services to individuals and families in need across Malta. Its role is primarily supportive and therapeutic, not regulatory. FSWS oversees key operational agencies such as Appoġġ, Sedqa, and LEAP, offering services related to child protection, domestic violence, substance abuse, mental health, disability support, and social reintegration.
The FSWS provides professional intervention, counselling, case management, outreach, and community development. While it plays a critical role in child protection and safeguarding vulnerable adults, it does not have judicial or enforcement powers—it collaborates with the Police, courts, and regulatory bodies (e.g., SCSA, CRPD) when serious risks or legal breaches are identified. FSWS social workers and professionals may submit reports or recommendations to judicial and administrative bodies, especially in guardianship, foster care, and abuse cases.
The Foundation is mandated to operate within legal frameworks such as the Child Protection (Alternative Care) Act, the Domestic Violence Act, and social policy strategies, ensuring that services are rights-based, trauma-informed, and tailored to individual needs.
Mr.Alfred Grixti – CEO