Raising the profile of children in alternative care : a positive approach

Abstract

This article focuses on the negative impact of stigma that can be experienced by some children in alternative care in Malta. The impetus to address this issue came from an instance of insensitive media coverage of alternative child care in Malta that unintentionally continues to feed and propagate the stigma. The concept of stigma is analysed in the light of research carried out with children in care and their caregivers, the recently enacted Minor Protection (Alternative Care) Act Cap 602 as well as the principles enshrined in the United Nations Convention on the rights of the child. The article draws on the rich qualitative data that informed a range of previous studies and submits this data to scrutiny under a narrower lens. The result raises sensitive questions and highlights policy and practice measures that can sensitively and comprehensively attempt to address this issue.