A committee of the House of Assembly doing a line-by-line examination of the Department of Children, Seniors and Social Development has been told that the province is in a crisis when it comes to a shortage of social workers.
But the minister says government is taking steps to improve the situation.
NDP Leader Jim Dinn told the estimates committee hearing that there’s a 28 per cent vacancy rate when it comes to social workers in the department, a situation which he describes as a crisis.
He says there are 255 vacancies in the Department of Children, Seniors and Social Development, even though it’s one of the most important wings of government.
Minister Paul Pike says there are currently 100 students enrolled in the social work degree program at Memorial University, the first time that number has hit triple figures. He says a working group has also been struck with NAPE to get information from staff on the ground.
He said that includes expanding the use of technology and adding staff in other areas to share workload so that it remains “as fair and consistent as possible.”