High Social Worker Turnover Cited as Factor in Nova Scotia Youth's Death
Nova Scotia's chief medical examiner linked high turnover among front-line social workers to the death of a youth in care. While the province reports reduced vacancy rates and caseloads following a new practice framework, experts and former youth say frequent staff changes continue to undermine trust and outcomes for children.
Nova Scotia's child protection system is grappling with persistent challenges tied to high turnover and burnout among front-line social workers, issues that the province's chief medical examiner identified as a contributing factor in the death of a youth in care who died in a motorcycle accident while riding without a license.
Dr. Matthew Bowes, co-chair of the child death review committee, stated that the high turnover made it difficult for the deceased youth to form a trusting relationship with the care system. The committee subsequently issued four recommendations to prevent similar deaths, including reforms specifically aimed at addressing turnover among front-line social workers.
Social worker Jackie Barkley described the early child protection system in Nova Scotia as "broken," pointing to tremendous challenges, high turnover, and burnout. These staffing pressures have been linked to diminished quality of care for vulnerable youth. Frequent changes in assigned social workers prevent children from forming trusting relationships within the system, while burnout leads workers to operate outside business hours, causing personal suffering. Poor outcomes for children in care include higher risks of mental health issues, educational failure, going missing, and sexual exploitation.
Grayson Balzan, a former youth in care, said he went through six different social workers during his time in the system, which he says affected his ability to develop trust.
Jill Barkhouse, executive director of the child and family well-being division at the Department of Opportunities and Social Development (DOSD), acknowledged ongoing recruitment and retention challenges but noted the release of a new practice framework in January 2025. DOSD reported that the staff vacancy rate fell from 15 per cent in February 2025 to seven per cent by the end of July 2026. As of July 2026, there were 22 vacancies out of 300 direct social worker positions in the province's child protection system.
Craig Beaton, deputy minister of opportunities and social development, stated that the average caseload is now about 17.9 cases per social worker, down from 22.75 in 2024. In 2024, the Nova Scotia College of Social Workers called for the province to adopt caseload ratios based on the Child Welfare League of America standard of 16 to 20 cases.
To further improve staffing, DOSD is implementing several measures, including hiring retired workers part-time, offering relocation expenses, and piloting a peer support program at two offices.