Funding Supports Recruitment and Retention of Social Workers

Following Budget 2012: People and Prosperity – Responsible Investments for a Secure Future, further details were announced today surrounding the remuneration for social work placements with the Department of Child, Youth and Family Services. During a visit to a core training session with recently hired social workers, the Honourable Charlene Johnson, Minister of Child, Youth and Family Services, discussed the importance of these placements in terms of the overall recruitment and retention of staff.

“In Budget 2012, our government announced an investment of $475,300 to compensate approximately 70 social work student placements each year,” said Minister Johnson. “Recent reviews had identified recruitment and retention as a challenge, and this is one initiative that will help with the long-term recruitment of new social workers in our province.”

Remuneration of field placements is a significant recruitment strategy for the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador as it allows students to work directly in the field of social work. This experience helps students gain insight into the challenges, as well as the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of the province’s most vulnerable children and youth. The department will hire 35 social work students per term and placements will be allocated across all four regions.

In addition to paid field placements, the department also recognizes the importance of comprehensive training in the retention of staff. In November 2011, the department’s dedicated Training Unit became fully operational and ensures a more coordinated, targeted and streamlined approach to professional training for all staff. Since that time, under a provincial training plan, close to 200 staff completed a total of 12 mandatory training sessions. This includes approximately 20 participants taking part in the two-week training session currently underway at The Murphy Centre.

“Training is a key initiative in improving the quality of the programs and services offered by the Department of Child, Youth and Family Services,” said Minister Johnson. “It is also a significant piece in the overall recruitment and retention of social workers. If our staff feel supported and confident in the work they do, they will be more likely to continue their commitment to this field as we work together to establish the best child protection system in the country.”

As the department continues to complete its organizational structure, an additional investment this year of $2.4 million for the hiring of 29 new frontline positions including social work supervisors, social workers, social worker assistants and clerk typists will contribute to the overall transformation of child, youth and family service delivery. These positions will also allow the department to meet its commitment for reduced caseloads, which is another significant strategy in retention. At the same time, it will ensure the provision of better services to clients.

Budget 2012: People and Prosperity affirms the Provincial Government’s funding commitment to children, youth and families with a total investment of $200.5 million in the Department of Child, Youth and Family Services.

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Media contact:
Michelle Hunt
Director of Communications
Department of Child, Youth and Family Services
709-729-5148, 725-1593
MichelleHunt@gov.nl.ca

2012 05 16                            12:40 p.m.