The Formentera Office of Social Welfare is pleased to unveil a series of informative talks to publicise the office's foster care service for neglected children.

Rafael Ramírez, councillor of social welfare, saying the service enables children under public guardianship to be temporarily hosted by an alternative family, encouraged local families "to attend the talks to learn first-hand about the service".

Talks will be held in the Consell de Formentera auditorium.
5.00pm, 3 October: For families with children/teens at I.E.S. Marc Ferrer;
5.00pm, 4 October: For families with children at C.E.I.P. Mestre Lluís Andreu;
5.00pm, 5 October: For families with children at C.E.I.P. Sant Ferran and C.E.I.P. La Mola;
5.00pm, 10 October: For families with children at C.C.E.I.P. Virgen Milagrosa and the general public (open doors).

Assessment and training
Families who join the programme undergo a process of assessment and training overseen by Consell de Formentera staff. This team also offers support during fostering. Service personnel evaluate applications based on economic, personal and social circumstances and various criteria.

The foster care programme includes financial assistance for costs associated with child-rearing and training.

Interested parties can contact the Formentera Office of Social Welfare by calling 971321271 or emailing benestarsocial@conselldeformentera.cat.
 
1 October 2022
Communications Office
Consell de Formentera

The Formentera Office of Social Welfare is pleased to report that it has begun tender for construction of a housing project for at-risk under-12s. The ten-room building will be located in the island's social and healthcare services hub next to the Formentera Day Centre.

If deadlines are met, work will be completed before year-end 2023. The budget is €496,966 plus VAT and the project will receive a €150,000 grant from European Union funds for economic recovery.

Rafael Ramírez, councillor of social welfare, said the home would offer children in foster care "individualised and family care" and "a better environment for psychosocial care". He asserted that the new building would also constitute "a resource for vulnerable families, a problem that specifically affects women, to whom the task of caring for and supporting children generally falls".

At present, Formentera has no residential care resource for at-risk minors and about 30% of individuals in Formentera's child protection service are likely to use this space.

13 September 2022
Communications Office
Consell de Formentera

The Formentera Offices of Entrepreneurship and Social Welfare are backing a new programme of training and support for employment. This programme of the Balearic Employment Service (Servei d'Ocupació de les Illes Balears, SOIB) is for local over-30s who are long-term unemployed or members of an at-risk community, such as islanders facing social exclusion.

To improve participants' professional profiles, the programme offers at least 120 hours of individualised and group guidance and support, with each participant receiving at least 100 hours of training. "This is about capacity building and increasing participants' chances of accessing the labour market. Plus, as an incentive, individuals who successfully complete their personalised itineraries will receive a grant of €1,800", said Ana Juan, president of the Consell de Formentera and councillor of entrepreneurship.

Rafael Ramírez, councillor of social welfare, pledged "support and individual, personalised and comprehensive care from the Formentera Office of Social Welfare. Through various actions, participants develop their professional project and obtain regular employment".

Part of the SOIB's local projects for vulnerable groups, the initiative is also included in the EU-funded Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan (Next Generation EU). Candidates must apply to the SOIB. For more information, please call 971 321 087 (ext. 3122) or email inserciolaboral@conselldeformentera.cat .

Vulnerable individuals, as well as persons at risk of social exclusion, may be: female victims of gender violence, victims of harassment based on sex or gender, homeless people, people with disabilities, migrants, people with dependency issues, victims of discrimination in the labour market and people with difficulties accessing the labour market, among others. Long-term unemployment refers to at least 12 months of joblessness in the previous 18 months.

16 August 2022
Communications Office
Consell de Formentera

The Consell de Formentera has held a coordination meeting to set the protocol for assisting victims of forced injections of date rape drugs or other substances. The meeting was attended by Rafael Ramírez, councillor of social welfare; Josep Marí, councillor of interior, and representatives of Formentera Local Police, Civil Guard and Formentera Hospital.

"Drugging women, whether by needle spiking or other gender-based violence, is absolutely unacceptable", said Councillor Ramírez, who asserted that "any such attacks are crimes which will be prosecuted". He stressed that "needle spiking is a way to dissuade women from going out and enjoying festivities and nightlife". Ramírez insisted, "Women should be able to participate in festivities without fear and the Consell de Formentera, in collaboration with other security forces and the hospital, will work to make sure this is the case".

Councillor Marí stressed that "it is important that female victims of needle spiking know that the public administrations will give them full support and attention". Formentera Local Police, Civil Guard, emergency 112 service and Formentera Office of Social Welfare staff, who will man the "No Means No!" (No i punt!) tent, will follow an emergency protocol to support victims. "All these administrations will coordinate to provide the best care to victims at this delicate time", said Rafael Ramírez.

Meeting participants were also briefed on recommendations for possible victims of spiking by injection and witnesses able to assist victims. These recommendations were agreed between the Balearic Government and island councils.

-If at a private business establishment, notify staff. If at a public celebration, visit the local "No i punt!" stand.
-Call 112, Formentera Local Police and/or Civil Guard.
-Follow instructions from Formentera Local Police, Civil Guard or "No i punt!" staff.
-Stay with your group of friends if you are not feeling well.
-If you find a victim, listen to them and offer to call a friend for support. Do not leave them alone.
-Visit the Formentera Hospital emergency room, where tests can be performed.
-If in need of psychological care, call 112 for the on-call psychologist.
-File a complaint with Civil Guard.

IBDONA's 24-hour service is also available at 971 178 989 and the Women's Information and Assistance Service (9.00am to 2.00pm, Monday to Friday) at 971 321 271.

This protocol has been sent to Espai Dones and the local small and medium-sized business association (PIMEF).

12 August 2022
Communications Office
Consell de Formentera