Santa Cruz Child Protection: 727 Aided, Staff Allege 'Institutional Mistreatment'

Teams that support children, teenagers, and families, run by the Municipal Institute of Social Care (IMAS), are currently helping 727 vulnerable children and teenagers in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. These teams work across the city's five districts. There are 23 professionals on staff, though one social worker is currently on sick leave. This information was provided yesterday by local councilor Charín González, who was responding to a question from the socialist political group during a committee meeting.

Figures from the department, updated to December 31, 2025, show that among these 727 children and teenagers, 548 are in the initial stages of assessment. Another 93 have a proposal to start formal proceedings, while 9 are in a proposed declaration stage. Seventy-five cases have already been officially declared, and two cases are proposed for archiving. Looking at the different areas, Ofra has the highest number of children and teenagers being helped or assessed by these specialized teams, with 216. Next are Barranco Grande (184), Salud (94), Centro (80), Gladiolos (63), Añaza (57), and Anaga (33). The professionals working with these children and teenagers include social educators, social workers, and psychologists.

It's worth remembering that last June, Alana Chinea, a councilor from the PSOE party, presented a complaint to the city council's full assembly. This complaint came from staff at the Childhood and Family Bureau within the Santa Cruz City Council, highlighting their severe staff shortages. In a letter sent to the City Council, these professionals stated that the lack of staff made it impossible to even minimally protect the physical and emotional well-being of the city's most vulnerable children. They said this shortage prevented them from "providing dignified care" to children at risk in the capital.

The letter also claimed that "the lack of attention to children and teenagers in Santa Cruz amounts to institutional mistreatment," warning that this could lead to legal action against the City Council.