21/02/2020

DGAIA director, Ester Sara Cabanes debates the subject of unaccompanied minors and separated children at the IESF Social Breakfasts

General Directorate for Children and Adolescents (DGAIA), Ester Sara Cabanes attended the Social Breakfast held on 19 February and organised by the UIC Barcelona Institute for Family Studies (IESF).

These meetings are held by the Childcare and Family Policies Chair, an IESF initiative, in collaboration with the Joaquim Molins Figueras Foundation.
 
The purpose of the Social Breakfast held last Wednesday was to open a debate on unaccompanied minors and separated children by presenting the example of the current situation in Catalonia, an autonomous community of Spain with over 4,000 children that fall into this category.
 
The director of the DGAIA spoke about the importance of finding an appropriate way to classify these kinds of asylum and adoption cases, the increase in intensive education residential centres (CREI) and the need for support and preventative education for families.
 
In light of the discussion, the speaker also mentioned the forthcoming publication of a study conducted by DGAIA that reflects upon the current system with a view to improving processes and optimising resources. 
 
Lecturers, IESF staff and heads of organisations such as Marta Creus (Cáritas) and Jaume Larriba (PDS, Promoció i Desenvolupament Social) were also present at the meeting.