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VICTORIA – The Ministry of
Children and Family Development has completed the first phase of its social
worker recruitment campaign, resulting in 101 additional front-line child
protection workers, Minister Tom Christensen announced today.
“More child protection workers will help
resolve issues of holiday staffing and caseload management, ensuring the
support our children and families need,” said Christensen. “I am pleased to
welcome these new social workers to the Ministry of Children and Family
Development.”
Approximately 300 regular staff, mostly front-line social and mental health workers, are being added to the workforce over the next two years.
Budget 2006 provided $273
million in new funding over the next three years for programs and
services to support and strengthen families; funds
were targeted at children at risk, vulnerable families, children and youth with
special needs, Aboriginal governance, and child and youth mental health. The
largest portion of this new funding – $173 million – was designated to enhance
services for children, including the hiring of more social workers and other
front-line staff.
The national recruitment campaign was
launched in May 2006. In total, almost 950 individuals registered through the
ministry’s online application process, and more than 500 went through the
formal application process for posted positions. 81 applicants were from other
provinces; four of these were subsequently hired.
Ten new employees of Aboriginal descent were
hired, out of 77 who applied.
“The hiring of more Aboriginal child
protection workers is a priority of the ministry,” said Christensen.
“Aboriginal social workers are uniquely qualified to help develop and provide
culturally appropriate services for Aboriginal children and families.”
This new hiring is in addition to the
Aboriginal services recruitment campaign through the Child and Youth Mental
Health Plan.
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Public Affairs Officer 250 356-2939 |
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