All work has been completed with respect to the Social Empowerment Agency (SEA), the amalgamated entity of the Child Care Board, National Assistance Board and Welfare Department, under the Ministry of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs.

This was announced by Minister of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs, Kirk Humphrey, as he provided an update on Government’s progress with the SEA.

He was speaking at the Warrens’ Office Complex, Warrens, St. Michael, during the launch ceremony of Child Awareness and Prevention Month 2025, which will be celebrated in April.

Mr. Humphrey, who noted that Parliament approved the legislation, said the Ministry of Public Service had sent back the approval of all posts, and ministry officials will soon be meeting with the staff.

“I think the staff will be pleased with what we are offering. That new agency is meant to offer a comprehensive response to what really and truly is a comprehensive, complex, emerging, even if frightening environment, and the Social Empowerment Agency, we think, is a good response to that,” he said.

Mr. Humphrey noted that a number of these agencies were built long ago and are not properly suited for a modern Barbados. He stated: “The circumstances changed, but the legislation was the same, the structure was the same, and to me, that leads inevitably to us being inefficient in certain areas.”

The Minister expressed the belief that SEA would allow his Ministry to address the situation pertaining to children.  And, he added: “I know the social workers had been very concerned that we did not take the focus off of children. And there will be a part of the Empowerment Agency specifically dealing only with the serious issues pertaining to children, as it will be for the elderly and for persons with disabilities.

“But we know that we have to have a family-related response because what Barbados is seeing are family-related incidents and issues, and we cannot compartmentalise our response to a reality that does not present itself in a compartmentalised fashion.”

Mr. Humphrey noted that another issue his Ministry would be addressing is the Child Protection Bill, which Parliament has passed, and he had hoped to have proclaimed for April 1. 

“We will proclaim it for May 1, as well as the Social Empowerment Agency. And so, going forward, from May … we will approve the legislation. We’ll proclaim it… definitely in May,” he stressed. (PR/GIS)