Increase in the number of children in care, lack of places in structures… On Monday, they mobilized in Nantes to denounce an “alarming” situation.
Agents out of breath. On Monday, child protection professionals in the Loire-Atlantique department were on strike to denounce their working conditions. Responding to an inter-union call led by the CFDT, the CGT and FO, these social workers, family assistants and even psychologists also gathered in the city of Nantes to share a “alarming situation”. “The situations are deteriorating, the turnover continues to increase, there is an emergency!”summarizes their press release, in which they demand in particular new accommodation places for minors, but also the creation of positions.
“Morale is very low, the agents are very, very worried and very tired”worries a representative of the FO union. “We really need concrete solutions. We cannot wait until 2030”she continues, while professionals must manage ever more delicate situations. “It’s not psychologically sustainable for them. We should not become abusive towards the children in care. We must not forget that child protection is about people, and when we deal with people and serious situations all day long, it is difficult to remain indifferent”.
In a tight budgetary context, the trade unionist is aware that “not everything is achievable, but I think there are things the department can improve”. Especially since “if agents are no longer able to respond to requests, children are left behind, whether infants or adolescents…” 63 strikers were recorded by the department, or around a third according to the union.
What is the situation in Loire-Atlantique?
Although the situation encountered in Loire-Atlantique is far from being unique, it does not go unnoticed. “It's not necessarily worse than elsewhere, but it's a big department. And who says big department, says big population”supports the FO representative who assures that the lack of resources has been present for years.
In a report published on October 15, 2024 by the regional chamber of accounts of Pays de Loire, an increase in the number of children taken into care, going from 5,887 to 9,899 between 2017 and 2022, is mentioned. “The child protection service has deteriorated. The number of children taken into care has increased by 17% in five years, even though the overall reception capacity of the department decreased, due to a drop in the number of family assistants. Given the lack of places, a growing number of children have not been placed, or have been placed in unauthorized places (lodges, hotels, etc.)”describes the regional body. “More and more children are being placed in or removed from their families. Judges do not hesitate to move children when necessary and to place them under protection as soon as there is suspicion of abuse or danger to children.adds the FO spokesperson.
The document from the regional chamber of accounts also indicates that “despite the department's stated desire to improve the quality of the child protection service and the completion of several audits in this regard, the management of this service remains very insufficient”. Concerning the number of places created in structures, 37 were created between 2017 and 2021. In its response to the regional chamber of accounts, the Loire-Atlantique department responds that thanks to various calls for projects, 210 reception places have been created. been opened in 2022 and 92 in 2023. “The creation of places will continue in 2024, and the effort will be maintained in the years to come”.
In 2025, 50 additional places are planned, as well as the deployment of 300 measures in an open environment, allowing home support for the child. The department's press service informs the Figaro of “immediate responses” to come, included in the 2025 budget. Among them, the “sustainability of project contracts”equivalent to “14 positions created at the start of 2025”but also two positions at the CRIP, the unit responsible for collecting worrying information. The agents, however, are considering a new strike soon.
