The people working to provide care for the province’s at-risk children are asking for help.
Child welfare support workers say they can’t keep up with their caseloads because they’re understaffed and under-funded.
Nova Scotia Government and General Employees Union President Jason MacLean says the workers have seen their caseload numbers explode.
As a result he says workers are burning out.
“They want to do the best for their clients. We have to do the job. We have to have the proper resources in place. And what they’re saying is they need help because they can’t properly perform their duties.”
MacLean says workers are calling in sick because of the stress.
“It really pulls at their hearts because people are in social work because they want to help others. And they feel right now, they can’t help others and the system is getting worse. They need help to fix the system.”
A website called childwelfareonthebrink.org has been created to bring attention to the issues.
The Nova Scotia College of Social Workers and the NSGEU are asking people to contact their MLA or the Premier and ask for more funding in the upcoming budget.
Reported by: Ed Halverson
Twitter: @edwardhalverson
E-mail: halverson.ed@radioabl.ca
