By SEAN HOLMAN Van 24 hrs.
The B.C. Association of Social Workers has been a vocal advocate of strengthening the province's child-protection system. So it would make sense for the top bureaucrat at that ministry - Lesley du Toit - to meet with the association. But, to date, that hasn't been the case, says its child welfare and family committee chair Paul Jenkinson. Speaking with 24 hours, Jenkinson said the association has "asked for a meeting with her on two different occasions. And while we have certainly met with the minister and other deputy ministers, we have had no response back from Ms. du Toit." "I do find it odd," added Jenkinson. "Because during the last three years, the [association] has developed just an excellent relationship with then-Minister [Stan] Hagen. And this has continued with [Minister Hagen's successor Tom] Christensen." Jenkinson also raised question about plans to reform the ministry's work environment, saying "the culture at the ministry itself - if you look at the local service delivery - is a pretty good culture."
So, instead, the government should simply "get the 400 social workers that they have committed to hiring - get those people in the field. That would be probably the best thing Lesley du Toit could do for at-risk children and the families," Jenkinson said.
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