Held under the theme ‘Promoting Staff Development for Effective Child Protection’, the Social Protection Ministry’s Child Care and Protection Agency (CCPA) hosted its 2016 Staff Conference at Parc Rayne, Rahaman’s Park, Georgetown, on Wednesday. The event saw over 100 staff members gathered, as they were serenaded with Holiday songs and dances. Staff of the CCPA were also encouraged by Social Protection Minister Volda Lawrence, who praised them for their hard work and dedication throughout the year.
Antonio George and his brother Joshua George perished in the fire
Lawrence noted that unlike many other agencies which deal with much paperwork, the Social Protection Ministry “deals with real people”. She further observed that often, when interacting with the public, staff in the various departments of her Ministry have to “stop breathing” and take time to pay keen attention to what persons have to say; many of whom are often victims of abuse, neglect and other forms of ill-treatment.
The Minister also assured those gathered that their labour was not in vain, and announced that the Ministry’s 2017 Budget was justified, especially allocations set out for the CCPA.
She announced that come next year, the departments of the Social Protection Ministry will be housed in one building, with the aim to assimilate the services which the Ministry offers.
The current decentralised system often sees staff going into their own pockets to give money to members of the public to travel to other departments to have their concerns addressed, Minister Lawrence noted.
It was further explained that under the rehabilitation of the Hadfield Street Drop-in Centre, three apartments will be constructed to house family members of children who are stationed at the facility.
Meanwhile, Probation Officer and Chairperson for Wednesday’s proceedings Rickford Fanfair, related that the July Drop-in Centre fire which claimed the lives of six-year-old Antonio George and his two-year-old brother, Joshua George, was “a low point” for the agency in 2016. The gathering then observed one minute’s silence to remember the boys who perished.
It was reported earlier this year that the younger brother was asleep in the dormitory when the fire started and as the elder brother was being taken out of the building by caregivers, he rushed back in to save his little brother. However, he became trapped in the building and the two met their demise.
President David Granger had ordered an inquiry into the incident which revealed that there was a lack of fire prevention measures, while systems to protect the children failed and therefore, all players were collectively responsible for the deaths of the two lads.
