Nova Scotia’s child welfare social workers devalued and burned out: report – Halifax | Globalnews.ca

A new report paints a bleak picture of the working conditions for social workers in Nova Scotia’s child welfare system.

The report by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives exposes a litany of complaints from social workers who say they are struggling with excessive caseloads, chronic understaffing and insufficient training.

Social workers told researchers that a lack of support from the provincial Community Services Department has left them in a state of distress because they are unable to provide compassionate support for their clients.

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The 90-page report recommends the government enforce legislated caseload caps, provide more training and mentoring and build a more supportive work environment for workers who feel devalued and burned out.

It also calls on the department to establish a provincial child and youth advocate office.

The report is primarily based on interviews with 15 social workers, all registered with the Nova Scotia College of Social Workers and currently or recently employed by the Community Services Department.

The department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 11, 2024.