8 April 2025 - Time for substantial changes in Social Welfare Services
The tragic incident of abuse involving five children in Larnaca highlights, once again, the chronic and serious weaknesses of a system that must protect the most vulnerable.
The repeated cases show that these are not isolated errors, but structural failures. The delay in announcing an administrative investigation, holidays given as a reason for delay, as well as the admission that there is insufficient data to assess staffing needs, are indications of a system that needs radical reorganisation. However, these shortcomings have been known since 2017 at least, but over time the state has been indifferent to solving the problem.
The protection of children cannot simply be the subject of political statements or communication management. It is a matter of responsibility and political culture.
Volt focuses on the welfare and progress of the state, through a strong social welfare framework that ensures the protection of children, the support of families and the creation of conditions of real social justice. To do this, we must go beyond the logic of focusing exclusively on a policy of benefits.
Therefore, we call on the Deputy Ministry of Social Welfare and the government to:
Complete a needs assessment study and redesign the operation of the Social Welfare Offices.
Immediately proceed with adequate staffing with specialized personnel, and with continuous training of officers for the recognition and timely response to violence in the family.
Strengthen the multidisciplinary approach to child protection issues, with the involvement of the competent Ministries.
Establish the role of Social Workers in schools.
Immediately design and implement prevention and support programs for families.
Strengthen oversight and internal control mechanisms.
Volt remains firmly committed to promoting a welfare state that operates with transparency, efficiency and social solidarity.