Child protection under national: Reorienting towards genuine social investment or continuing social neglect?

Child protection frameworks can be categorised as consistent with a child protection, child welfare or, increasingly, a child-focused policy perspective. An inequalities approach encourages the application of an ecological framework when exploring the drivers of system contact, asking whether child protection services reflect, reinforce or ameliorate social inequities. This article draws on these conceptual building blocks to analyse the child protection system reforms developed during the term of the National-led government (2008-2017). These reforms endeavoured to graft a child-focused approach on to the existing protectionist orientation. System design was informed by a neoliberal rubric which excluded the causes of child protection system contact from the policy development remit. The reform process was underpinned by key ideas relating to social investment, becoming child focused and trauma informed. This resulted in more resources for children already in the care of the state, but less focus on the needs of families before children were removed. As a result, the number of children in care was driven up and inequality heightened, particularly for Maori. The reform process and subsequent implementation was also shaped by resistance and contradictory currents within the policy and practice community. There are elements of both continuity and policy deviation, illustrating the limits of viewing policy change as neatly related to party politics. Differentiating between the National-led and Labour-led terms is problematic as many aspects of the National-led reforms are only now being implemented. For example, the roll-out of intensive intervention services is underway and Section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act, which requires consideration of the Treaty of Waitangi, is now in effect. In combination with the Labour-led coalition's commitment to reducing child poverty, a more universal approach to child welfare policy and a broad focus on wellbeing, these provisions may help reverse the 'child-focused' trend.