The Santa Cruz City Council, through the Municipal Institute of Social Care (IMAS), has addressed a total of 928 potential cases involving at-risk children and adolescents from 2023 to January of the current year. Reports were received from various sources such as schools, relatives, health centers, hospitals, the Prosecutor’s Office for Minors, and the General Directorate of Child and Family Protection of the Government of the Canary Islands. The IMAS promptly evaluates these reports to determine the need for intervention.
Charín González, councilor for Social Policies, commended the proactive approach of the Childhood and Family Team. She reported that as of January 17th, 524 cases had been reported from various areas, with interventions in 383 cases underway. She provided a breakdown of reported cases across different districts and highlighted the ongoing interventions.
González also outlined the actions taken for minors with initiated files, as well as those already declared at risk, emphasizing the council’s commitment to working with affected individuals and their families. Communication regarding potential at-risk minors is received through registration or the designated email address, and the received information is thoroughly assessed by the IMAS team before initiating appropriate interventions.
Response Levels for At-Risk Minors
The IMAS Childhood and Family Office explained the three response levels after the notification of a minor at risk. Grade 1, indicating a severe risk, requires immediate and urgent intervention. Grade 2 involves initiating a detailed file to address the specific issues within the family, while Grade 3 entails referring the case to the local UTS, deemed less severe.
These professional actions aim to ensure that minors in at-risk situations within their family environment receive the necessary care and support. The objective is to empower family members to acquire essential skills and behavioral habits to overcome crises or vulnerabilities.
