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The National
22-05-2025
- Health
- The National
Inside Abu Dhabi's child abuse centre offering sanctuary to those in need
In a quiet corner of Abu Dhabi, a 24-hour centre is working to ensure that no child at risk 'slips through the cracks'. Known simply as the Child Centre, the unit operates under the Family Care Authority and brings together experts from across the child protection spectrum from social workers, case managers, psychologists, police, prosecutors and doctors to intervene when a child is in danger. 'The Child Centre is a specialised entity that focuses on ensuring the well-being and protection of children of all ages, nationalities, and ethnicities in Abu Dhabi,' Naema Al Shehhi, case manager at the centre told The National. 'There is a multidisciplinary approach. It brings together several entities: social workers, case managers, psychologists, law enforcement including both police and prosecution, and medical professionals. We also work with schools, hospitals, and any entity that interacts directly with children.' How are incidents reported? Based in Khalifa City, all of these services are housed under one roof, allowing staff to respond quickly and efficiently. 'We often receive reports from schools or hospitals and co-ordinate with them when creating intervention plans,' Ms Al Shehhi said. The range of cases the centre sees is wide, from physical, emotional and sexual abuse, to neglect and exploitation such as forced labour or trafficking. 'We receive various types of cases: psychological, sexual, or physical abuse; exploitation including child labour or trafficking; and cases of neglect where children lack proper care,' she said. While some reports come from hospitals or schools, others are submitted directly by the public. 'We receive reports through various channels: the hotline (800 444), our online portal, hospitals, police, prosecution, and sometimes directly from the public,' she said. How are cases assessed? Once a report is filed, the team begins with a risk assessment to identify where the danger is coming from. 'Each case is assessed individually. The first step is a risk assessment. We identify the source of risk – whether it's a parent, another child, a stranger -and tailor the next steps accordingly,' Ms Al Shehhi said. 'If a parent is the source of risk, we may interview the child at school to avoid influence or pressure. Only after understanding the risk do we involve the parents.' In cases of serious and immediate danger, action is swift. 'We assess whether the child can safely return to their environment. If not, alternative care is arranged – ideally within the extended family. If that's not possible, we place the child in a shelter. Our services run 24/7. When a child is at immediate risk, action is taken within hours.' That kind of fast response is not common in the UAE, and that is exactly the point. 'Compared to police or prosecution processes, our intervention is more immediate and especially in child abuse cases. We act quickly and prioritise high-risk cases,' she said. She said most of the abuse cases she sees are not malicious but happen because of a lack of education. 'While child abuse is common, many cases stem from a lack of education or awareness. In such cases, we focus on educating and empowering parents.' Still, the more serious cases leave a mark. 'Most of the abuse we see is unintentional, due to lack of awareness. But intentional abuse cases do occur and those are the ones that stay with you the most. Children don't always have the awareness or means to report what's happening to them.' Who is supported? In terms of age, the centre can help everyone from newborns to teenagers. 'We receive cases from children as young as a few months old up to 18 years.' And while their work touches many aspects of child welfare, adoption cases are handled elsewhere. 'We don't handle adoption cases. There's a separate centre that specialises in that,' she said. Often, a case may begin with a school, a hospital, or a family member reaching out but it can also come from a parent walking into the centre in distress. Once the team determines how serious the risk is, they build a response plan. 'We conduct a comprehensive evaluation, implement an intervention plan, and follow up before closing any case.' Even then, follow-ups continue. 'Our case management process continues after the initial intervention,' Ms Al Shehhi said. 'We conduct a comprehensive evaluation, implement an intervention plan, and follow up before closing any case.' Children with special needs are considered high-risk, and their cases are treated with even greater caution. Ms Al Shehhi said that while it is natural for parents or schools to report to police, they are always welcome to come directly to the centre. 'We encourage families and schools to report directly to us, unless there's immediate danger then they should go to the police, who will refer the case to us.' In the end, she said, if a child is unsafe and nobody acts, the consequences can be devastating. 'Children cannot protect themselves, and the adult they're living with determines the quality of their life. If there's danger and our entity doesn't intervene, there may be no way the child can be removed from that environment.'
Mid East Info
19-05-2025
- General
- Mid East Info
Family Care Authority marks International Day of Families with community activations across Abu Dhabi - Middle East Business News and Information
In conjunction with International Day of Families 2025, the Family Care Authority (FCA) launched a series of interactive public activations across Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al Dhafra aimed at raising awareness of the social, economic and demographic issues affecting families today. The initiatives reflected FCA's continued commitment to fostering dialogue, strengthening community ties and empowering families to face challenges with resilience and optimism. Her Excellency Salama Al Ameemi, Director General of the Family Care Authority, took part in the community activations, designed to encourage participation and reflection. The activations were hosted at key community hubs, including Nabdh in Al Falah, Al Ain Mall and Al Dhafra Mall. Each location featured two engaging experiences. The 'Wall of Wisdom' offered a space for community members to contribute handwritten notes filled with advice, reflections, and meaningful messages on family life. Alongside it, the 'Dial in a Story' experience invited visitors to record personal voice messages sharing their most cherished family memories, celebrating the stories that shape and connect generations. By creating accessible, interactive spaces where individuals and families could share, listen, and reflect, FCA continues to play a vital role in enhancing societal cohesion, fostering inclusive dialogue, and responding to evolving family dynamics across the Emirate. The Family Care Authority remains at the forefront of social sector innovation, delivering integrated services and outreach programmes that elevate the well-being of families and communities alike. These efforts reflect FCA's long-standing commitment to developing solutions that promote stability and enhance quality of life, supporting Abu Dhabi's vision of a cohesive and sustainable society. About Family Care Authority: The Family Care Authority (FCA) in Abu Dhabi is dedicated to the governance and regulation of the social sector, with a strong emphasis on empowering families to achieve self-reliance. An affiliate of the Department of Community Development, the FCA is mandated by the Abu Dhabi government to provide comprehensive and proactive support to families across the Emirate. With a steadfast commitment to confidentiality, the FCA collaborates with strategic partners to offer integrated services, including counseling, inclusion and empowerment, Safe Shelter, and Awareness and Community Outreach, and Foster Family services. Through its family file management system, the FCA ensures seamless access to advanced services, fostering a nurturing environment for individuals and their families to thrive. In accordance with Abu Dhabi Executive Council's Resolution No. 9 of 2024, the Family Care Authority's mandate and roles have been expanded to integrate sheltering and humanitarian care services, and rehabilitation and empowerment programmes for victims of violence and human trafficking.
Web Release
18-05-2025
- General
- Web Release
Family Care Authority marks International Day of Families with community activations across Abu Dhabi
By Editor_wr On May 18, 2025 In conjunction with International Day of Families 2025, the Family Care Authority (FCA) launched a series of interactive public activations across Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al Dhafra aimed at raising awareness of the social, economic and demographic issues affecting families today. The initiatives reflected FCA's continued commitment to fostering dialogue, strengthening community ties and empowering families to face challenges with resilience and optimism. Her Excellency Salama Al Ameemi, Director General of the Family Care Authority, took part in the community activations, designed to encourage participation and reflection. The activations were hosted at key community hubs, including Nabdh in Al Falah, Al Ain Mall and Al Dhafra Mall. Each location featured two engaging experiences. The 'Wall of Wisdom' offered a space for community members to contribute handwritten notes filled with advice, reflections, and meaningful messages on family life. Alongside it, the 'Dial in a Story' experience invited visitors to record personal voice messages sharing their most cherished family memories, celebrating the stories that shape and connect generations. Family Care Authority's (FCA) 'Wall of Wisdom' and 'Dial in a Story' activations in conjunction with International Day of Families took place across key community hubs in Nabdh in Al Falah, Al Ain Mall and Al Dhafra Mall Her Excellency Salama Al Ameemi, Director General of the Family Care Authority (FCA), participates in FCA's International Day of Families activations By creating accessible, interactive spaces where individuals and families could share, listen, and reflect, FCA continues to play a vital role in enhancing societal cohesion, fostering inclusive dialogue, and responding to evolving family dynamics across the Emirate. The Family Care Authority remains at the forefront of social sector innovation, delivering integrated services and outreach programmes that elevate the well-being of families and communities alike. These efforts reflect FCA's long-standing commitment to developing solutions that promote stability and enhance quality of life, supporting Abu Dhabi's vision of a cohesive and sustainable society. Prev Post Sarah Taibah Wears Messika at the Women in Cinema Gala Comments are closed.
The National
07-04-2025
- General
- The National
The many rewards of fostering children
Opinion Editorial Insight and opinion from The National's editorial leadership April 07, 2025 For more than a decade, the UAE has been known to harbour a progressive, practical and compassionate view towards fostering children in need of a nurturing home. That entails the social infrastructure of the country being in place. Abu Dhabi's Family Care Authority, for example, has a foster family service to support such child welfare services to alternative Emirati families. Back in early 2013, there was a programme in the country where different Emirati families fostered 59 children. That year, Dubai's Community Development Authority also ran a foster care programme called Embrace through which orphaned children were placed in the care of families who met the criterion: of being Muslim, Emirati, living in the UAE, and where both parents were above the age of 25. Single mothers could apply, too, provided they were older than 30. But even after several years of such projects, perhaps not enough is commonly known about fostering. It is thus a positive development that more Emiratis are openly talking about the concept, spreading awareness and encouraging others to follow suit. As Aysha Albusmait, foster mum of two girls, told The National last week: "It's important that more foster parents come forward to share their stories." Ms Albusmait is one of those enabling social change, by having established a community support group for foster parents across the Arab world. Certainly, it is not a universal calling to embark on such a journey. To provide a safe, stable and loving home to a child or children who are not biologically one's own is not to everyone's ability or inclination. Even as foster mums and dads are often rewarded by the often joyous and fulfilling experience, prospective parents ought never to take the decision lightly or in haste, nor without serious considerations of the changes it brings to one's life – as well as to the life of a child. Many of those changes, however, can be extraordinary. At a ceremony in Abu Dhabi six months ago, President Sheikh Mohamed honoured a group of foster mothers at Qasr Al Bahr in Abu Dhabi and spoke of his gratitude to them for providing a nurturing environment for young children. He said that offering foster care demonstrates a strong sense of social responsibility, and 'upholds the values of generosity, compassion and social solidarity that define Emirati society'. Emirati couples are thus encouraged to foster abandoned children by being their guardians. Adoption, which entails taking the name and lineage of a family is not permitted in Islam but unlike adoption, fostering is a transparent, kind and revocable arrangement and can be deeply meaningful to parents and the children fostered. As it happens, not every person who may want to foster will be eligible to – and it is often just as well, for there could be several reasons for this. Be it applicants failing to clear psychiatric and emotional evaluations, or not meeting suitability criteria like cultural suitability, health and infectious disease, as well as income – these criteria are in place ultimately to protect minors from harm. There are, however, other avenues for people to help and lend crucial support to some of the most unfortunate in ongoing conflicts around the world – as in Gaza, for instance. After a year of the Israel-Hamas war, Unicef estimates that by October 2024 at least 18,000 children were orphaned. That number would have climbed only higher since the collapse of the ceasefire. Sharjah's Big Heart Foundation has thus taken steps to alleviate some of the suffering by launching a programme called "For Gaza" that would help provide long-term support for 20,000 orphans in the enclave, through a structured sponsorship model. This is just one of the many ways in the UAE for anyone who wants to help children to do so. As the country grows more prosperous, and as society evolves to accommodate changing global realities, those UAE citizens and residents who want to foster children or support them, should be aware of what's within their reach, and the steps they can take to improve the lives of countless children, and in doing so, begin to transform their own.
