Abstract
Occasional Paper 14: A qualitative study was undertaken to explore the private realities of Indigenous parents and
self-identified carers who had experiences with child protection authorities. Semi-structured
interviews focused on the nature of the relationship between parents and child protection
authorities, how these regulatory encounters served to enlist or dissolve co-operation and how
child-focused outcomes could be delivered. Data from interviews with forty-five Indigenous
parents and self-identified carers in three separate jurisdictions in Eastern Australia revealed a
paradox for authorities. Descriptions of encounters with authorities were overwhelmingly
negative and challenged the public hope for reconciliation between government and
Indigenous Australians. Enforcement strategies were experienced as confusing, threatening
and coercive, undermining parenting morale and informal care capacity. On the other hand a
positive role was acknowledged for child protection authorities and there seemed interest in
working with such authorities, albeit with different strategies from those currently
experienced. The need for dialogue, trust and partnerships involving informal care networks
emerges from analysis of the data. The paper discusses how this progression might be
facilitated by principles of restorative justice and responsive regulation.
Original language | English |
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Commissioning body | Regulatory Instituions Network |
Publication status | Published - 2009 |