Newsroom
Cyprus’ Social Welfare Services (SWS) are facing deep-rooted problems that have been simmering for years, and these issues are now putting vulnerable people at serious risk. From outdated practices to a lack of specialized staff, the services are failing to adapt to the complex needs of modern society.
According to an article by Kathimerini's Apostolos Kourpupakis, a major concern is the shortage of qualified social workers. Instead of being staffed by professionals like social workers or psychologists, many positions are filled by people with degrees in fields like law or political science. As a result, social workers are often stuck processing paperwork and handing out benefits, leaving little time for the more critical tasks, such as investigating child abuse or handling cases of domestic violence. This system, where social workers are essentially acting as clerks, is not equipped to address the serious issues it’s meant to solve.
The flaws of the system were made painfully clear in a tragic case that made headlines last year. In Dromolaxia, five children from one family were subjected to severe abuse, including sexual and labor exploitation. Despite multiple visits from social welfare services, the abuse went unnoticed for years. This failure to protect the children sparked a wave of criticism and calls for reform, and the Ministry of Social Welfare launched an internal review.
But the issues go beyond individual failures. The entire system is bogged down by outdated methods. Social workers still rely on manual paperwork and lack access to modern tools to assess cases. For example, a program designed to help improve coordination between services and streamline case management has been left largely unused. This leaves workers struggling to keep up with their caseloads, with some handling as many as 100 cases at once, a level of workload that makes it impossible to adequately assess the risks faced by vulnerable individuals.
Despite reports highlighting these issues and experts recommending urgent reforms, little has changed. A special internal review unit meant to oversee improvements within the services has been sidelined under the current leadership. Meanwhile, calls for more qualified staff, better training, and updated systems continue to grow louder. Professional groups like the Social Workers’ Union and the Cypriot Social Workers’ Council are demanding urgent reform.
On the government side, there have been promises of progress. The Ministry of Social Welfare has pointed to plans to hire more qualified staff and create neighborhood social worker roles. But with ongoing failures and a lack of clear action, many are questioning when the state will finally tackle these long-standing issues head-on.
At the heart of it all is a growing sense of frustration. As tragic cases continue to emerge, it’s becoming increasingly clear that Cyprus’ social welfare services need a complete overhaul to meet the demands of today’s society. Until that happens, the system will continue to fall short, leaving the most vulnerable at risk.
