Filenews 3 January 2021 - by Michalis H'Vassilis
Often-dense social welfare services (YKE) are in the eye of the cyclone for incidents that see the light of day. Families in misery, children in tragic environments, images that do not honour the state. The culmination was the tragic outcome of the case with 15-year-old Stylianos, a case that showed the inadequacy of services, the gaps in the handling of such incidents and, above all, the inconsistency of those involved. The director of the Ministry of Health, Maria Kyratzis, in an in-depth interview with "F", does not hide behind the problems faced over time by the Services, admits that much needs to be changed and reorganized, talks about clearing up roles with other services and talks about deficits in being able to respond to everything. Today, the HSEs are on a course of major reorganisation with a target of three years and a budget of €7.5 million, while at the same time promoting a pioneering programme in cooperation with five municipalities as "no one is left alone". With regard to the criticism of the HSOs, Mrs Kyratzis stresses that it is unfair to constantly put staff in and stresses that penalties are imposed where necessary.
-What is the situation today in Social Welfare Services and where do the main problems focus?
- The Social Welfare Services (SOE) already count seven decades of operation and their mission and vision, as they are currently being shaped, is to ensure conditions of social cohesion, social solidarity and social justice in the context of providing social protection for all citizens of the Republic of Cyprus in order to combat poverty and social exclusion and to promote the interests of individuals. , families and communities. That said, the provision of services is guided by the formation of the social conditions and problems and the response corresponding to the available means and resources. The challenges and demands of our time are the fact that social problems have evolved as serious, urgent and complex. The differentiation of principles and values, the shocks in interpersonal relations and the importance of life, the situation and needs of the modern family and the issues caused by divorces, modern dependencies, the formation of unemployment, the effects of the pandemic and much more create demands for the man who in many cases, his support and help in order to be able to cope are necessary. Furthermore, the current changes in the socio-economic situation of our country have led families and individuals to face complex serious problems including loss of housing. All this self-evidently creates additional needs and requirements from the HSEs for diversification and extension of interventions. This is also demonstrated by the issues that are in the spotlight that almost daily involve the OCEs. Also, considerable pressure on the CSOs in recent years has been created by the ever-increasing flow of asylum seekers who apply to the CSOs for material reception conditions and unaccompanied minors in Cyprus who are considered children in need of care and protection and are taken under the legal care of the State.
The longitudinal under-management of the CSOs has increased the difficulties that exist and in combination with the object and nature of work create increased demands. Moreover, the image created over the years for the OCEs makes it considerably difficult for both the delivery of services and the staff itself, especially in threatening situations or those that devalue the whole intervention.
-Do you think that the promoted reorganization of the Services will help solve these problems?
- The work of restructuring the CSOs is a framework for modernising the Services to provide accessible, accessible, friendly and personalised social services for holistic support for the individual and the family, in an anthropocentric, multi-thematic and effective way that is essentially identical to the vision of the HSOs. It is a co-financed project for the three years 2021-2023, with a budget to date of €7.5 million, which will essentially update and reposition main axes of organisation and operation of the OCUs, in accordance with the results of the evaluation of the actions, the experience gained of the CSEs and the new conditions and needs of society, with the aim of continuously improving the efficiency and efficiency of the services offered. Among other things, it includes the evaluation and alignment of the various themes, programmes, procedures, manuals/instructions, legislation, computerised system, etc. with the modern needs of citizens, in particular promoting the multi-thematicity and necessary synergies as well as the development and implementation of mechanisms for systematic monitoring, evaluation and measurement of the quantitative and qualitative efficiency and effectiveness of the services provided. The restructuring of the Services, following decisions of the Council of Ministers, has already begun and is being implemented in phases where each will have concrete results, with the intention of continuing the actions that will become effective beyond 2023.
The first phase promoted the employment of a number of fixed-term staff for the key thematic groups supporting citizens and the strengthening of multi-thematicity by promoting the hiring of services of professionals of various specialties (psychologists, etc.) and the establishment of central and provincial multi-thematic groups for the holistic evaluation and intervention of individuals and families. At the same time, it was promoted to provide escorts according to the needs of children, people with disabilities in institutions and families. It is important to mention that the process of change is inspired by extroversion, transparency and informed by the citizen about the role and programmes of the OCPs and how to serve them. This is particularly important, as a significant number of citizens end up in the OCUs, with requests that are essentially related to other agencies. Targeted actions, which are important to mention the personal pursuit of the Minister of Labour herself, last November employed 27 social service permanent officers and 42 officers as part of the co-financed work on migration issues. At the same time, the process of securing a number of institutional officers is under way. Actions are under way to initially promote a pilot project in five municipalities, namely the Municipalities of Nicosia, Limassol, Larnaca, Paphos and Paralimni, to unite forces in the service of each citizen so that "No one is left alone".
-Do you agree with the government's creation of a State Department to which the HSEs will join?
- The creation of a State Department demonstrates the recognition of the extent and seriousness of the issues dealt with by the HSEs, with a view to modernising the welfare system in the years to come. This is a recent political decision which needs time to be promoted so that it can function constructively.
- How many families are currently monitored in Cyprus by your Services and how many children are in your custody?
- According to recent data published in Cyprus in December this year: there were 520 children in the care of the state, including a large number of unaccompanied minors placed either in foster care or in child and adolescent protection institutions. It is noted that these numbers are not static and can vary according to the occasional needs of children. 3,000 families, some with minors, are supervised under the juvenile counselling programme, and others for adult issues where adult counselling is provided. Other important figures include the number of 2,300 reports on various issues that need to be investigated, while 1,711 cases of domestic violence (including violence against children) are handled.
It should be clarified that the data presented relate only to the specific programmes and are not representative of the overall burden of the Services, which are made up of figures from the other programmes and obligations of the HSEs.
- What is your Services policy in relation to children in troubled families?
- The main aim is to assess the situation of the family, including to explore the possibilities of both parents who equally have parental responsibility for their child.
At the same time, it is assessed whether children are being treated and protected and in cases where family circumstances do not ensure them, children are removed from the family. This can mean neglect, mistreatment of children or even abandonment by their parents or guardians or even poor exercise of their parental role. It should be noted, however, that the movement of children by natural parents is sought when there are serious reasons and is the last step taken to ensure the protection of the child, after all efforts to support the family in order to keep the child close to her are exhausted.
In the above there are deficits in assumptions when taking into account the current situation of families who on the one hand are experiencing a crisis and in some cases have important issues in which they cannot meet the needs of their members, especially children, and on the other hand by many there is a perception that under no circumstances is the removal of children from them offered.
"No child left"
-A lot has been said about the 15-year-old Stylianos case, an investigation has been carried out, criminal investigators have been appointed and decisions are expected. In the end, could more be done and not have this tragic outcome?
- The case to which reference is undeniably made is a sad and particularly emotionally aggravated event. At this stage the finding has been completed by the independent criminal investigators and has been handed over to the Legal Service. Therefore, further public discussion of the case is not appropriate at this stage. More generally, I maintain the position that no child is left and that the actions of both the HSEs and everyone who have a role and responsibility in the issues that make up child protection must be responsible.
"Program for children with conduct disorder"
- Quite often we see children in state structures disappear. What exactly is going on and why are no measures being taken to ensure that minors do not take to the streets?
- The child protection institutions operated in Cyprus by the Social Welfare Services are open-ended and an effort is made to make them as similar as possible to the family environment. Therefore, children who are accommodated in The Homes/Hotels follow a daily programme of activities and have entertainment outings, depending on their age and degree of maturity, with classmates and friends. The flight of a teenage child does not arise from his place of residence but from his peculiarities and needs and that is why children are also fleeing from their families. It is a phenomenon that is also observed in other European countries, for a number of reasons. In the event that a child does not return at the expected time and is not identified, the HSOs cooperate with the Police, while investigating and managing the causes and difficulties faced by children, through multi-thematic cooperation with co-competent Agencies and bodies responsible for children. Furthermore, it will contribute substantially to the treatment of the provision of escorts and other professionals through restructuring, and has initiated on the initiative of the MINISTRY synergy with the Cyprus Addiction Management Authority, for the development of a specialized program for children with conduct disorder, since this diagnosis concerns the majority of these children.
"Unfair and unrealistic to assign responsibilities before investigation"
-Often dense services are in the eye of the cyclone when cases of miserable situations experienced by families and especially children come to light. Couldn't there be better handling?
- In view of the increased requirements, the environment and the requirements resulting from the OCDs and the conditions in which all the work is carried out, which are difficult and urgent, are self-evidently outlined. In a number of cases, which do not see the light of day, decisive interventions are being made in helping and dealing with difficult issues. In view of the above, it is at least unfair for all staff to be constantly suspended. The officers give themselves every day and deserve respect as frontline professionals. This does not mean that all interventions are successful and there are no issues requiring other actions such as further targeting of direct intervention, thorough investigation of intervention, strengthening the evaluation and documentation of fact reports, etc.
However, where a mis-performance of duties has been substantiated, penalties have been given and this is by no means negotiable. It is unfair and unrealistic to attribute blame before the investigation and this has contributed along with the above to the burnout of the officers. This is not a shortage of professionals but an increase in the demand, the need, the time required for each case, the way intervention is documented, the increase in controls and administrative competence, the promotion of education, the improvement of procedures, the modernisation of legislation and the institutional framework, etc.
The fact that the HSEs, despite their own burden, do not raise public cases that have a daily and positive outcome leaves room for impressions that only ineffective endings exist, which is by no means the reality. Moreover, in cases where they are publicly exposed to both the basis of ethical observance and the preservation of personal data, they are not discussed in public, so what leaves impressions are the forced emotional events.
- Do you think the Services are being targeted for timeless gaps and weaknesses?
- A great deal is attributed to the CSEs and is expected. To this end, in addition to the assumption, the Services are making a change which, above all, indicates that much needs to be changed and others to be restructured. However, having mentioned this, it is clarified that it is not representative that other significant gaps in the institutional framework relating to social welfare should be attributed to the CSOs. Among other things, modernisation is required by other agencies to meet important needs that cases have today, investments in prevention and education, redefinition of responsibilities and clearing of roles that are distinct and specific to citizens, etc. , removal of a child, etc.) immediately gathers the acceptance of the world and the outcry in the Services. Due to the limitations they have on data presentation, they end up in some cases "being the easy target".
- Do you find the criticisms of the media and, by extension, of the citizens against the Welfare Office unfair for its delayed or incomplete response in cases in need of intervention?
- In addition, the following findings are noted: Due to the multifaceted and complex needs of children and families, the promotion of multi-thematic treatment is now more than ever of added value as it ensures the overall coverage of the needs of those served, so the modernisation effort must concern all the co-competent Agencies as the weaknesses and deficits identified are not only issues concerning the CSOs. Because the HSEs are visible, have a wide range of responsibilities but also gather a large number of requests and cases, there are deficits in being able to respond to everything. This is why the strengthening of staffing, the investment in education and evaluation and the synergy with the Local Government Authorities (ATA) for the management of certain cases was promoted in order to serve at the same time the immediate identification of the citizen, his service and the outcome in the Services of cases of serious ones bound by law.
The aim is not to reclass class the Services as this will undermine the sense of security of our vulnerable fellow human beings, but to promote partnerships that will lead each Service to its own development. To this end, we extend our helping hand to all the Agencies involved, Commissioners (e.g. the initiative with the Chief of Police for Child Fugitives, with the Child Protection Commissioner for the Child Protection Tool), Local Government, etc. In addition, it is desirable that our cooperation with the media be extended in a way that does not focus only on difficult and serious incidents. This situation results in the 'removal' of citizens from the OCUs who will not be able to intervene without being affected, in a timely and effective manner.
- Today how many cases is handled by an official of your Office and how many by an official in another country in Europe?
- Comparison between countries is difficult to make, since each country has a different welfare system. For example, in some countries various issues currently managed by the HSEs are handled by local authorities. Also depending on the subject of the work and what is required, the corresponding number of cases is formed. However, recognising the heavy workload, a number of actions have been pursued as presented above.
