Union says social worker staffing at 'crisis' levels in B.C.
Warning: This story contains details that some readers may find disturbing
The union representing social workers is raising the alarm about staffing levels in B.C.
“Social workers feel the staffing shortage right now is a crisis and it’s a crisis that is impacting their work,” said Paul Finch, president of the BC General Employees' Union.
A CTV News investigation this week identified a disturbing case involving three children that relatives said were living in awful circumstances. They said repeated calls to social workers and police in Fort St. John and B.C.’s Interior were ignored until the biological mom finally called the Ministry of Children and Family Development herself.
“They were utterly, 100 per cent neglected and locked in their rooms. The children, when found, were covered in feces, urine. They were literally feral,” said their foster mom, who is also a relative. CTV News can not legally identify her.
Finch would not comment on the specific case, but said the caseloads social workers are facing have become too much.
“Imagine carrying a triple caseload and if all of a sudden you have two or three crises inside that caseload, you’re into constant crisis management,” he said.
“We’re seeing a crisis in retention that is primarily resulting from burnout."
Grace Lore, the minister of children and family development, said earlier this week:
"We have, over the last little while, increased staff throughout our ministry, again layering accountability and oversight because we must get it right.”
However, the union said staffing is not keeping up with a growing population.
The BCGEU said that in 2020, there was one frontline staff member to 1,581 people. Four years later, it’s one to every 1,883.
Relatives of the siblings – who say the children were found in a filthy house and had been severely neglected – said there is no excuse for why pleas to check on the kids were repeatedly ignored.
“These children could have been saved so long ago, even if the children weren’t removed, the family could have received help,” the foster mom said.
RCMP were also asked about the case, but would not comment.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trump's Madison Square Garden event features crude and racist insults
Donald Trump took the stage Sunday night at New York’s Madison Square Garden to deliver his campaign's closing argument with the election nine days away after several of his allies used crude and racist insults toward U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris and other critics of the former president.
B.C. election results: Mail-in ballots heavily favour NDP, only absentee ballots left to count
The majority of mail-in ballots tallied this weekend for the final count in B.C.’s nail-bitingly close 2024 provincial election went to the NDP, increasing the party’s chances of clinching a third term.
Here's when you need to change your clock back
Millions of Canadians will notice their clocks turn back by one hour on Nov. 3, marking the end of daylight saving time this year.
New polls show Sask. NDP leading over Sask. Party ahead of election day
A pair of new pre-election polls indicate that the Saskatchewan NDP has a slight lead ahead of election day.
17-year-old charged for driving 188 km/h on Hwy. 417 in Ottawa
A 17-year-old Ottawa driver was caught speeding nearly 90 km/h over the speed limit on Highway 417.
Hollywood star Victor Garber gets emotional after surprise meeting with his former teacher in London, Ont.
Victor Garber got teary-eyed when he walked into a brunch in his honour Sunday in London, Ont.
Another bumpy week ahead as Trudeau faces deadlines from Liberal MPs, Bloc
Another week, another raft of imminent challenges to Justin Trudeau's leadership of both the country and the Liberal Party.
He lost a finger and survived a kidnapping. Then, this climber took on a 9,000-foot 'death-trap'
With jaw-dropping big wall ascents and a life packed with adrenaline and adventure, climber Tommy Caldwell has had a career worthy of – and captured by – a feature film.
How to make sure your used clothes go to the right place – and not to organized crime
Giving away used clothes for a second life feels like an act of charity – and it often is. But it’s become more complicated. A W5 investigation has discovered allegations that organized crime players are muscling in on charities to access their donation bins.