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BCGEU supports recommendations by the representative for children and youth to protect vulnerable infants.
Vancouver (31 Jan. 2011) - The report by B.C's representative for children and youth on the death of 21 infants presents a disturbing view of affairs that must be fully addressed, says the B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union (BCGEU/NUPGE).
BCGEU, which represents social workers who provide provincial child protection services, says the report by representative Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond demonstrates the need for a legislated poverty reduction plan to deal with the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the infants. They died over a two-year period.
The report identifies extreme poverty and related risk factors, including inadequate housing, as significant factors impacting the well being of the infants. A serious disconnect occurred among the medical, child welfare and public health systems providing services to these families. A serious failure exists in providing provincial-wide standards of care.
"It is very sad and disturbing to read this report," says BCGEU president Darryl Walker.
"The stories about the children are very painful. We are not doing enough to protect those who are the most vulnerable in society. It is very alarming that 15 of the 21 infants were Aboriginal," he adds.
"In all cases, poverty played a significant role in the death of these infants. We are in full support of the representative's call for the development of a legislated poverty reduction plan in the province. It is unforgivable that British Columbia has the worst child poverty rates in Canada."
Turpel-Lafond also identified the changes needed to improve review processes and standards used by the ministry of children and family development (MCFD) in responding to families in need. All of the infants' families were involved in one way or another with MCFD.
"Turpel-Lafond's report clearly identifies concerns over the lack of a central monitoring of these cases," says Doug Kinna, chair of the BCGEU's social, information and health component which includes social workers.
"The lack of a central provincial body means there are too many regional differences in the way policies are applied. Inter-agency problems have also developed," Kinna says.
"We have told the ministry there is a need for improved and consistent standards across the province. We have raised these concerns time and time again with the government and have yet to see a proper response," he adds.
"Caseloads for social workers range from 30 to 50 families when a client list in the low 20s is the standard that should be followed. The government has not allocated the resources that are needed to do a proper job of responding to serious social problems. We cannot do child protection on the cheap."
The ministry's service plan indicates it is caring for 8,677 children across the province.
"This tragic situation should not be allowed to happen again," says Walker. "Government and the agencies involved in providing care must take the steps so that children do not die because of a lack of attention from their families or government. We must be partners in solving these problems."
The BCGEU supports the recommendations identified by the representative to protect vulnerable infants.
NUPGE
The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE
More information:
• Fragile Lives, Fragmented Systems: Strengthening Supports for Vulnerable Infants