Type:	Journal Article
Title:	Mothers and the child protection system
Other Titles:	International journal of law, policy, and the family
Authors:	Walsh, Tamara Douglas, Heather
Keywords:	Indigenous issues;CALD (culturally and linguistically diverse);Child protection;Policy;Legal issues;Advocacy;Legislation analysis
Population:	Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
Year:	2009
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Citation:	23 (2), August 2009
Notes:	General Overview: In a context of expanding child protection intervention in Australia and elsewhere, this paper considers the negative impacts the Australian child protection system has on mothers and explores the role of parent advocates in this realm. Methods: The authors, Douglas and Walsh held five focus groups with thirty-two professionals from community organisations who assisted mothers with child protection services in Queensland. Results:Participants felt that the mothers they worked with demonstrated a lack of understanding about the processes of child protection intervention, due to lack of information or, especially in the case of women from NESB and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, lack of relevant information. They found that greater advocacy is necessary but often unavailable. Conclusion : The authors suggest that all parents participating in child protection procedures should have access to an advocate. In cases where advocacy is not available, information sharing should be embedded in child protection legislation. An increase in support and information is suggested as a way to improve this.
URI:	https://anrows.intersearch.com.au/anrowsjspui/handle/1/15872
ISSN:	1360-9939
Appears in Collections:	Journal Articles

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