Alberta’s child intervention services are facing a crisis, according to the union representing workers in the field.
The Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE) released a statement on Tuesday, highlighting the dire situation of child intervention services in the province. The union represents over 95,000 workers in Alberta, including those who work in child intervention.
According to the statement, the child intervention system is struggling to keep up with the increasing number of children in need of protection. The union claims that the system is understaffed and overworked, leading to a high turnover rate and burnout among workers.
AUPE President Guy Smith stated that the current situation is “unsustainable” and that the government needs to take immediate action to address the crisis. He also called for increased funding and resources for child intervention services.
The union also raised concerns about the safety of children in care, citing a recent incident where a child in a group home was sexually assaulted. They claim that this incident could have been prevented if there were enough staff to properly supervise the children.
In response to the statement, the Ministry of Children’s Services released a statement of their own, acknowledging the challenges faced by child intervention workers. They stated that they are working to address these issues and have recently increased funding for child intervention services.
The ministry also highlighted their efforts to recruit and retain more workers in the field, including offering competitive salaries and benefits.
However, the AUPE argues that these measures are not enough and that more needs to be done to support the child intervention system.
This crisis in child intervention services is not a new issue in Alberta. In 2016, the province’s child intervention system came under scrutiny after the death of a four-year-old girl who was in government care.
The AUPE is calling on the government to take immediate action to address the crisis and ensure the safety and well-being of children in care. They are also urging the public to support their cause and put pressure on the government to make necessary changes.
The future of Alberta’s child intervention services remains uncertain, but one thing is clear – urgent action is needed to address the crisis and protect the most vulnerable members of our society.
