Part 5/9:
A pervasive theme throughout the report is the underfunding of social services, which has reached an unsustainable level. A staggering 90% of social workers acknowledge that underfunding significantly impedes their ability to fulfill their roles effectively. The situation has culminated in rising caseloads, with Yolanda relating her experience of managing 32 cases when ideally it should be 15. The emotional toll is profound – many workers fear that failing to provide adequate attention could lead to dire outcomes, including the possibility of child fatalities.