Nova Scotia’s child welfare social workers devalued and burned out: report

A recent report sheds light on the challenging working conditions faced by social workers in Nova Scotia’s child welfare system, revealing a sense of devaluation and burnout among these essential frontline workers.

The report, conducted by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, highlights a range of concerns voiced by social workers, including overwhelming caseloads, chronic understaffing, low wages, and inadequate training. Social workers expressed feeling pushed to their limits, with many experiencing mental health crises due to a lack of support from the provincial Community Services Department.

According to the report, social workers are often told to improve their time management when raising concerns about workload, placing the blame on individuals rather than addressing systemic issues. This approach leaves workers feeling unsupported and unable to provide the level of care and intervention required for their vulnerable clients.

The report, titled “Contradictions in Care,” emphasizes the complexity of assignments faced by social workers, which involve working with individuals and families who have experienced trauma, racism, and gender-based violence. It calls for unlimited mental health coverage and specific support for racialized workers to address the psychological and emotional toll of this work.

Based on interviews with 15 social workers registered with the Nova Scotia College of Social Workers, the report recommends implementing a caseload cap, fostering a more supportive work environment, and providing additional training and mentoring. It also emphasizes the need for the government to recognize and value the professional standards and values of social workers.

Alec Stratford, executive director of the Nova Scotia College of Social Workers, describes the current state of the workforce as a crisis rooted in systemic flaws that undermine the quality of care provided to families and children. The report urges the province to increase wages, allocate more funding for resources and training, and establish an office for a provincial child and youth advocate to better support vulnerable populations.

Jackie Barkley, spokesperson for the Child Welfare Advocacy Coalition, echoes the report’s findings, noting the direct negative impact that exhausted and overwhelmed child protection workers have on the children and families they serve. The coalition supports the report as a step towards creating meaningful change in the child welfare system.

Overall, the report paints a sobering picture of the challenges faced by social workers in Nova Scotia’s child welfare system, emphasizing the urgent need for systemic reforms to support these dedicated professionals in providing essential care to vulnerable populations.