Guardianship in Sicily (Part 2)

In this video we continue to learn about the programme of guardianship in Sicily. In this film we hear again from Pasquale d’Andrea, who is the Head of the Child Protection Authority of the city of Palermo. He tells us more about the role of guardians appointed by the Juvenile Court. Pasquale speaks about the legal role of a guardian to ensure that a child’s needs are being met and that they are being safeguarded. He also highlights the importance of guardians developing a good relationship with the children they have responsibility for.

In the video we also meet Maria Letizia Barone and the three young people who arrived as unaccompanied children that she is now guardian for. We hear how one of the children, Khadija, was originally appointed a guardian who was an official of the local government and whom she never met. Khadija heard from her two friends that Maria Letizia was a good guardian and so she requested that Maria Letizia become her guardian, too. In the film they are joined by Annalisa Romeo who is Khadija’s social worker from the care setting Khadija is living in. Khadija also has a very good and caring relationship with her social worker.

We would like to thank everyone who participated in the making of these films on guardianship, and staff in the UNICEF office in Palermo for helping with the facilitation.