11 July 2013

CYF workload review timely

The Public Service Association is hopeful that a workload review being undertaken at Child Youth and Family will result in some meaningful change around caseload management for social workers and the work they do in protecting at-risk children.

The PSA is working in partnership with CYF on the workload review.

“There is no doubt that social workers are under a lot of pressure and are facing very high workloads with notifications rising substantially in recent years,” says PSA National Secretary Brenda Pilott.

“Contributing to this is the increasing complexity of cases. It is almost always a combination of factors which lead to children being put at high risk.”

The review will measure not only the volume of work coming in but the complexity of notifications, and how they are followed up.

“It should result in some very useful information which will show whether more funding, resources and staff are needed or whether there is a need for change in the way cases are allocated and managed,” says Brenda Pilott.

“CYF social workers work hard and have a tough job to do and they need the right resources and support to do it.”

“The workload review is very welcome and it is good to see effort going into investigating the issues and looking at where improvements can be made,” she says.

“We hope the end result of the review will be meaningful recommendations and solutions which will be in the best interests of staff, and ultimately children and their families.”

ENDS

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