Thank you, Madam Chair. I move that the Department of Health and Social Services establish territory-wide caseload standards for child protection workers; and further, that the department ensure that the caseloads are fairly balanced across the regional authorities; and furthermore, that the due consideration be given to regional variation of duties, demands and available resources. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Moses. The motion is in order. To the motion. Mr. Moses.
Thank you. Yes, just briefly, I think the motion states specifically what we need here and I also think that there does need to be inventory assessment of caseloads across the Northwest Territories in the regions and maybe identify which regions have the highest caseloads and start putting some of our resources, financial, human, towards those regional authorities that we can assist and provide quality care for our children and our families. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Moses. To the motion. Minister Abernethy.
Thank you, Madam Chair. We do want to move to a more sort of coordinated caseload count, but it’s difficult to arrive at a caseload standard when each case is unique and may require a different amount of time, different expertise and varying resources. There are also regional differences, such as distance between communities, that must be factored into resource decisions.
I’ve already indicated we will be working with the Child Welfare League of Canada to ensure that we are applying best practices in determining caseloads, but moving to one single integrated system, obviously moving to one single integrated system will make it easier to deploy resources as required to areas of greatest need. But in determining caseloads, we must keep in mind some of the varying realities throughout the Northwest Territories.
Thank you, Minister Abernethy. To the motion.
Question.
Question is being called. The motion is carried.
---Carried
Mr. Yakeleya.
