Feb 19 - GSD Says Minister Sacramento “Needs A Wake-Up Call”
The Minister for Social Services needs an “urgent wake-up call” according to the GSD Opposition. The call comes after claims that, since August 2013, the Children and Families Team of Social Services is down eight members of staff due to resignations and long-term sick leave.
The GSD says it understands that these members of staff: a team leader, social workers and a teacher, have not yet been replaced, or cover provided and that the remaining members of staff in the team are under immense pressure to deliver a service to the most vulnerable members of our community, children at risk. The Opposition says this continuing situation is having a demoralising effect on staff members of the Care Agency and is placing at risk the service, as the remaining smaller number of staff cannot possibly undertake the full range of essential tasks necessary for the wellbeing of vulnerable children.
The Opposition asks the Government why six months later, the Children and Families Team staff has not been replaced and urges Minister Sacramento to act swiftly in recruiting new members of staff without any further delays.
Commenting on the current crisis facing the Care Agency, Opposition Spokesman for Social Services, Isobel Ellul-Hammond stated:
“It is quiet alarming that a critical and crucial area of Social Work has been allowed to deteriorate so rapidly with the serious consequences this could have for vulnerable children in our society. The Minister, Samantha Sacramento, needs an urgent wake-up call to ensure those essential Social Worker and other posts are filled immediately and not in months to come before any regrettable incident happens.”
