Community Services

Overview

The Community Services provide community-based support to persons with disability and their families in Malta and Gozo. The service’s overarching aim is to assist persons with disability to lead an independent life in the community, whilst enhancing the quality of life of both the service user and his or her guardians. It provides services aimed at the individual’s wants and needs according to one’s abilities and limitations, following an assessment and intervention plan carried out before the service commences. The service is offered to individuals being followed by Aġenzija Sapport Social Workers. Eligible individuals referred to the service are those with social issues that needs close monitoring while learning or enhancing new skills to promote participation and independence in the community.

What you’ll get

The service may encompass interventions aimed at: improving one’s personal care; assistance in learning and participation in housekeeping skills; community participation and social skills; engagement in leisure activities; prevention and management of behaviours of concerns following positive behaviour interventions. This service may also be provided within a group setting according to age or level of performance, including group projects for minors and adults.

Application Requirements

Referrals to the Community Services should first be directed to the Sapport Assessment and Intervention Team.

The Assessment and Intervention Team assesses which service the individual would benefit from. Individuals identified as potential Community Services service users are discussed between all professionals within the Assessment and Intervention Team. The professionals within the Assessment and Intervention Team carry out a thorough assessment and then be referred to Community Service. Both teams will then meet and discuss any other logistics that need to be considered and what skills the service need to intervene on for a better quality of life and independence for the service user.

Eligibility

General eligibility criteria:

Community Services may be accessed by any individual with disability under the age of 60 and is not restricted to any type of impairment. The service follows the below criteria:

Priority is given to individuals at high risk of being institutionalised or are in high need of support. This includes individuals who are wheelchair users and currently have very limited accessibilities. The main scope for this is to avoid any social isolation of the individuals
The prospective service user and/or family has/have been assessed as requiring monitoring for prevention and further protection due to alarming risk factors in their current situation
The person with disability, his/her family, and/or service providers are willing to participate in the Individual Support Plan and Person-Centred Planning process for intervention of Daily Living Skills. This person, his/her family, and/or service providers are involved as required by the particular service