Overview

1.      Generic Service

Provides frontline social work support to individuals and families experiencing a range of social, emotional, and practical difficulties. The service offers assessment, guidance, advocacy, and crisis intervention in relation to issues including, but not limited to, unemployment, financial hardship, housing difficulties, and lack of family support. Where necessary, service users are referred to specialised services to ensure access to appropriate support and resources that enhance their wellbeing and quality of life. Social workers collaborate closely with various stakeholders, including Jobsplus, the Department of Social Security, the Courts, the Police, educational institutions, and healthcare professionals, to provide coordinated and holistic support.

Victoria: 23345020-9, 99070288

Xewkija: 22588994-8, 99995857

2.      Marsalforn Community Service 

The Marsalforn Community Service Team supports the well-being of individuals and families within the locality by providing professional social work services and facilitating access to appropriate resources. The team actively addresses a wide range of social issues, with financial difficulties, housing-related concerns and other. The team provides assessment, support, guidance, advocacy, and case management, while assisting service users in accessing benefits, community resources, and specialised services to address their individual needs.

The team also continues to strengthen community engagement and enhances the accessibility of its services through ongoing collaboration with key stakeholders. Close working relationships are maintained with the Marsalforn Local Council, Community Policing and the Church Rector to ensure a coordinated response to emerging community needs and to promote timely and effective support for vulnerable individuals and families. 

21563925-6,

3.      Domestic Violence and Risk Assessors Service

We provide comprehensive support to individuals affected by domestic violence through emotional support, practical assistance, advocacy, safety planning, and referrals to appropriate services. As part of our commitment to safeguarding individuals at risk, all our social workers, regardless of their specialised area of practice, are certified risk assessors and are authorised to administer both the Danger Assessment and the ODARA tool. This enables us to carry out thorough risk assessments and implement appropriate interventions based on everyone’s circumstances.

We provide this service on a 24/7 basis, ensuring that individuals experiencing domestic violence have access to timely support and risk assessment whenever the need arises. Through a coordinated and person-centred approach, we work closely with relevant agencies to promote safety, protection, and access to the necessary support services.

22588995/7

4. Homeless Service

Provides specialised support to individuals and families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. The service carries out assessments, facilitates access to emergency or long-term accommodation, develops personalised care plans, and offers ongoing social work support to help service users achieve stable and independent living within the community.

23345027

5.  Fostering Service

We provide support and guidance to foster carers, children in foster care, and their families to promote safe, stable and nurturing care arrangements. Through regular home visits, assessments, and ongoing case management, we monitor placements, address emerging needs, and work to safeguard the well-being and best interests of every child in care.

We work collaboratively with foster carers, birth families, and multidisciplinary professionals to support positive outcomes for children and young people. Our role includes providing emotional support, facilitating communication between all parties involved, coordinating services, and ensuring that care plans are implemented effectively while promoting children’s development, stability and overall wellbeing.

22588998

6. Looked After Children.

We provide comprehensive support to children and young people who are looked after, ensuring that their safety, well-being, and developmental needs remain at the centre of all interventions. Through regular contact, ongoing assessments, and care planning, we monitor each child’s progress and work closely with carers, families, and other professionals to ensure that their physical, emotional, educational, and social needs are met.

We work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams and relevant agencies to implement and review care plans, promote stability and permanence, and advocate for the rights and best interests of every child. Our aim is to empower children and young people, encourage their participation in decisions affecting their lives, and support them in achieving positive outcomes as they grow and develop.

22588996

7. Supervised Access Visits 

We provide a Supervised Access Visit Service to support children in maintaining safe and meaningful contact with a parent or significant family member when this has been identified as being in the child’s best interests. The service offers a neutral, safe, and child-friendly environment where contact visits can take place under the supervision of trained professionals, ensuring the safety and well-being of all those involved.

We work collaboratively with families, the Courts, and other professionals to ensure that access arrangements are implemented in accordance with agreed plans, always placing the child’s best interests at the centre of our practice.

21563926/ 99066798  

8. Home-Start Għawdex

Provides practical and emotional support to families with at least one child under the age of 5 years who may be experiencing challenges such as isolation, stress, health issues, or parenting difficulties. Through trained volunteers and professional guidance, the service offers home-based support aimed at strengthening family relationships, enhancing parenting skills, building resilience, and promoting the wellbeing of children and their families within their own community.

23345028, 99557744

9. Psychological Services

Provides professional therapeutic support to individuals, couples, families, and children experiencing difficult circumstances, including emotional, relational and/or life challenges. It aims to enhance wellbeing, strengthen resilience and coping skills, and improve emotional, interpersonal and family functioning through evidence-based interventions. The service ensures flexibility and accessibility, without restrictions on session locations or scheduling of appointments.

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10. Court Services

Provide professional social work support to the Courts of Gozo. The service primarily prepares independent social work court reports at the request of the Court, assessing family situations and making recommendations on matters such as the need for therapy and supervised accessed visits. Cases are not limited to minors, but the court may request the assistance of social workers as it deems necessary. Court social workers may interview parents, children, carers, and other relevant professionals to gather information and support the Court’s decision-making process. The service operates independently and focuses on safeguarding the best interests of the individuals and families involved in the court proceedings.

23345027

11. Medical and Psychiatric Social Work Services at the Gozo General Hospital

The FSWS Medical and Psychiatric Social Work Services are responsible for the safe discharge planning and continuity of care through liaison with community services, residential facilities, and support agencies. They also liaise with internal departments and external agencies (e.g. FSWS services, Aġenzija Sapport, OASI, Caritas, Hospice, and legal professionals), advocate for patients, and provide guidance on access to social benefits, disability services, housing support, and other entitlements.

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12. Emergency On-Call

Provides immediate social work support outside regular office hours, including evenings, weekends, and public holidays, for individuals and families experiencing social emergencies. The service offers crisis intervention, assessment, and support in urgent situations, with social workers carrying out direct interventions when required. The Emergency On-Call Service collaborates closely with other emergency and community services operating after hours, including the Gozo Police and Gozo General Hospital, to ensure a coordinated response to critical situations and safeguard the wellbeing of vulnerable individuals.

Helpline 179

13. Prevention Services

Promotes the wellbeing and resilience of children, individuals, families, and communities through awareness-raising, education, and training. The service focuses on preventing social difficulties and reducing risk factors by delivering programmes, workshops, and community-based activities that encourage healthy relationships, positive life choices, and social inclusion across different age groups. These programmes are delivered in an age-appropriate manner and consist of the following: T.F.A.L. 3 (Tfal Favur Ambjent Liberu), T.F.A.L. 5, T.O.T.B. (Teen Out of The Box), B.A.S.H. (Beyond Alcohol and Substance Highs), Skola Sajf, SAFE (Skills for Addiction Free Employees) and Community Sessions.

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