Care at Child Protection Services not compromised despite high staff turnover, director says

The province says it is taking steps to deal with high turnover of staff who deal with children at risk, but one MLA says he's worried about the impact vacancies and high turnover could be having.

On Wednesday, a committee of MLAs received a briefing on investigations from P.E.I.'s Child Protection Services, as well as an advisory committee's 99 recommendations to update the Child Protection Act.

Liberal health critic Robert Henderson said he's concerned about a constant turnover of staff, and what he referred to as job posting after job posting.

"I want to know that the children in my riding are protected, I'm sure every MLA here does," he said.

"And so that raises questions about whether your ability to deliver service and protect children in this province is up to the standards that would be required."

The province admitted turnover is an issue, but Kelly Peck, the director of Child Protection Services, said she doesn't believe it's having an impact on the services being provided to children and families.

"I think it's impacting the staff that are probably working more hours than they would normally be if we are short-staffed," she said.