Department of Social Welfare
The agreement establishes stable coordination mechanisms between municipal social services and the Consell de Mallorca’s Child and Adolescent Services.
The Institut Mallorquí d’Afers Socials (IMAS) has today formalised a new collaboration and coordination protocol with the Palma City Council, aimed at improving support for children and adolescents at risk. The signing ceremony included the participation of IMAS President and Minister of Social Welfare, Guillermo Sánchez; Palma’s Councillor for Social Services, Lourdes Roca; Insular Director of Social Services, Childhood and Family, Apol·lònia Isabel Socias; and Director of Child and Adolescent Care Centres and Programs, Magdalena Ramis.
This new agreement, initiated by IMAS, defines a clear methodology for how IMAS and the Palma City Council should communicate and collaborate when a case involving a child or adolescent at risk is detected. It includes specific procedures for urgent cases, joint assessment protocols, guidelines for response, and responsibilities for follow-up. It also foresees the creation of joint professional teams to address issues collaboratively.
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IMAS Formalises a New Protocol with Palma City Council to Strengthen Child Protection for At-Risk Youth
“This protocol is more than just a technical document. It is a firm commitment to the children of Palma and all of Mallorca. With this tool, we reinforce inter-agency coordination to ensure a response that is both effective and tailored to children’s needs,” said IMAS President Guillermo Sánchez.
In addition to enhancing collaboration between both institutions and enabling faster, more effective actions to ensure greater security for children and families, the new protocol also strengthens prevention.
“Establishing clear rules and sharing information in a timely manner ensures that action is taken from the outset, potentially preventing problems from escalating,” emphasized Apol·lònia Isabel Socias, Insular Director of Social Services, Childhood and Family.
The new protocol replaces the one in effect since 2011, which had become outdated and no longer met the current realities and needs. The updated version aligns procedures with a more agile and coordinated intervention model, focused on addressing the real needs of children and their families.
The protocol will begin implementation immediately in May 2025 and will remain in force for the next four years. It will automatically renew unless either institution decides otherwise. Additionally, it includes regular control, monitoring, and evaluation every six months to ensure proper implementation and compliance with its objectives.
During the presentation, Sánchez also stressed the importance of quick, efficient responses:
“Children at risk cannot wait. This protocol sends a clear message: we are by their side, and we will not let them down.”
“With this protocol, we are laying the groundwork for better, more practical and clearer coordination among professionals, avoiding redundancies and improving response times. This translates into more protection, more efficiency, and greater peace of mind for both families and children,” concluded Apol·lònia Isabel Socias.
This new tool is part of IMAS’s broader strategy to build a more accessible, effective, and protective network of social services, with a special focus on children. It also complements other collaboration agreements IMAS is promoting with municipalities across the island to strengthen the public protection system.