The Honourable John G. Abbott, Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development, and Jerry Earle, President of the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Public and Private Employees (NAPE), are pleased to provide a status update on the Joint Committee.
The Joint Committee, with representatives from the Department of Children, Seniors and Social Development and NAPE, is actively working together to address issues identified by social workers in three priority areas: safety, stress, and workload.
To date, a number of issues within these priority areas have been resolved, including:
- Enhancing personal safety and support by providing GPS devices and/or cell phones for all social workers to use when conducting home visits; and
- Developing a threat risk assessment form that is reflective of the work social workers are required to carry out, as well as a renewed focus on reporting occupational hazards, all of which promotes continued communication and additional supports.
As well, the Joint Committee has made recommendations to address the shortage of available social workers to fill advertised vacancies. The Department of Children, Seniors and Social Development and NAPE are considering these recommendations and will be reaching out to partners in this regard.
The Committee will continue to explore and resolve any outstanding issues that are impacting social workers within the Department of Children, Seniors and Social Development.
For social workers who would like to provide input or obtain more information on the Joint Committee, please contact:
- Kelly Roche, NAPE Servicing Representative – kroche@nape.ca
- Andy Parsons, NAPE Servicing Representative – aparsons@nape.ca
Quotes
“I am pleased to see the progress that has been achieved thus far and want to express my sincere thanks to the members of the Joint Committee whose efforts have enabled this success. The ongoing working relationship between my department and NAPE, and our collective commitment to this process, is of critical importance to ensure that the voices of social workers are heard and addressed, and the care of children, youth and their families is enhanced. I look forward to continued progress of the Joint Committee to further support the health and safety of social workers in the department.”
Honourable John G. Abbott
Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development
“This process has shown that progress can be made when front-line workers are given the opportunity to share their insight, expertise, lived-experience, and recommendations on how to improve the system for all involved. The Committee was given the support and latitude it needed to address the various issues and obstacles that social workers face in their roles. We believe that the Committee’s work will lead to positive change for social workers and those in their care. This process can serve as a blueprint for how we can all work together for the greater good.”
Jerry Earle
NAPE President
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News Release: Provincial Government and NAPE Establish Joint Committee
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Media contacts
Gina MacArthur
Children, Seniors and Social Development
709-729-3768, 730-2977
ginamacarthur@gov.nl.ca
Keith Dunne
NAPE
709-631-9737
kdunne@nape.ca