The Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security will be employing approximately 18 probation officers to improve staffing capacity, the Government Information Agency (GINA) reported.
And two probation officers began work at the Ministry on Monday, GINA said.
A large number of probation officers are needed for the effective running of the Social Service component of the Ministry, and GINA quoted Permanent Secretary Mitradevi Alli as saying there are not enough officers at present. According to GINA, a source at the Ministry said for Georgetown alone, 18 probation officers are needed but now there are only 21 officers including those in the different regions.
Probation officers must work in the Women's Affairs Bureau, the Family Welfare Department and the Adoption Office besides areas such as the Drop-in Centre, the Night Shelter and the Genesis Home, GINA said. These officers are required to do home visits and other forms of social investigations, counselling and present cases to the courts on issues within the Ministry's portfolio.
The matter of adequate accommodation is also to be addressed since a number of groups function out of the Ministry of Human Services. Other plans include rehabilitation work at the Palms and the Mahaica Hospital for which some $8 million was allocated, GINA added.